MONROE COUNTY, Mich. – A Monroe County man has been arrested on multiple charges, including four counts of criminal sexual conduct.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said John Steven Sorovetz turned himself in after being notified of outstanding warrants.
He is facing five charges: two are felonies, and three are misdemeanors.
According to court records, the felony charges are Criminal Sexual Conduct, 2nd Degree, in a relationship, and Accosting for Immoral Purposes.
Court records also show the three misdemeanors are Criminal Sexual Conduct, 4th Degree Multiple Variables.
Deputies said the charges follow a lengthy investigation, and that based on the pattern of behavior they uncovered, they believe there may be additional victims.
The criminal case comes months after two lawsuits were filed against Sorovetz.
The first lawsuit, filed in January, alleges Sorovetz was an assistant scoutmaster for Troop 508 and used his position to groom and sexually abuse a child years after the child’s father died, according to court documents.
The court document also listed Scouting America as a part of the lawsuit, but they have since been dismissed, according to attorneys for Sorovetz and the minor in the case.
Local 4 reached out to Scouting America to ask what role Sorovetz had in the troop.
They didn’t respond to that question but sent a statement:
“We are aware of the recent arrest of John Steven Sorovetz. He was not currently registered with scouting and was permanently banned from scouting in January of 2026.
Scouting America maintains a comprehensive safeguarding framework designed to prevent abuse and respond immediately to concerns. Key measures include:
· mandatory safeguarding training for all volunteers and employees,
· policies requiring two trained adults and prohibiting one-on-one interactions in all settings, including digital communication,
· a screening process for adult leaders and staff that includes criminal background checks,
· restrictions on the use of recording devices in private areas, and
· mandatory reporting of suspected abuse to law enforcement.
Scouting America also provides a 24/7 Scouts First Helpline (1-844-SCOUTS1), including call and text options, and an email contact (scouts1st@scouting.org) to report concerns. Additional information is available at www.scouting.org/training/safeguarding-youth/
Scouting America partners with the Department of Homeland Security’s iGuardian program to help youth recognize and respond to online risks. Resources are also available at www.know2protect.gov.
Michigan Crossroads Council, Scouting America
A second lawsuit, filed in March, alleged Sorovetz used his status as a trusted adult in a caretaking role to sexually abuse a child.
The lawsuit also referenced Sorovetz knowing the child since she was in first grade.
Flood Law and Lipton Law, which represents families in the civil cases, released a statement from one of the families that said:
“These criminal charges reinforce what we have known all along: John Steven Sorovetz betrayed the trust his community placed in him and exploited his position of influence to harm vulnerable minors. His disturbing pattern of grooming, manipulation and abuse is something that no child or family should ever have to endure. This has been an incredibly difficult and painful road for our family, but we are grateful that these charges are moving forward and hope they bring some measure of accountability and justice.”
Family of one of the victims
Local 4 reached out to Sorovetz’s legal team in a statement; they said:
“Don’t believe everything you read. People have financial motivations to push this case and Mr. Sorovetz is looking forward to his day in court. My client has passed multiple polygraph tests.”
Sorovetz's Legal Team
Local 4 also asked the legal team what role Sorovetz had in the Monroe chapter of Scouting America.
The attorney said his client did not have a leadership role, was a parent, and was on “some sort of committee.”
Todd F. Flood, Founder and Managing Partner of Flood Law, and Jody Lipton, Owner and Managing Partner of Lipton Law, counsel for the plaintiffs in the civil action, released a joint statement:
“Our clients came forward when it would have been easier to stay quiet. Today, Monroe County heard them. We thank the Prosecutor’s Office for treating this case with the seriousness it deserves.
John Sorovetz served as an assistant scoutmaster with Troop 508 in Rockwood. Parents trusted him with their sons. That trust is exactly what makes these charges so serious.
Mr. Sorovetz will have his day in court, and a jury will have the final word. Our position has not changed. We believe our clients. We have from day one. And we will stand with these families as their fight moves from the civil courts into the criminal justice system.”
Todd F. Flood and Jody Lipton
Local 4 also reached out to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office for more information about this arrest, but they were unable to provide anything further because this is an ongoing investigation.
Sorovetz is expected to return to court Aug. 20.