Lawsuit: Michigan correctional officers facing allegations of taunting Potawatomi man with AI-slop

Jail employees posted AI-created flyer in general population areas that showed Native inmate in headdress, lawyers say

Shaun Griswold

September 17, 2026

A Gun Lake Tribe Potawatomi citizen currently incarcerated by the Michigan Department of Corrections has sued jail officials over harassment that allegedly happened when a racist AI-image was created and posted in common areas for inmates to see.

Dylan Leenheer said corrections officers at the Newberry Correctional Facility altered his inmate identification card to superimpose over his face a feathered headdress, beaded earrings and buckskin clothing.

According to the Northern Michigan Journalism Collaborative, the flyer caused further issues after it was removed from other inmates' view.

Leenheer, a Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi citizen, said other inmates made racial jokes and comments about Native stereotypes, asking “where his headdress and tomahawk were, and how many buffalo his family owned,” according to the report.

“It’s just a whole bunch of crazy s*** every single day,” he was quoted as saying.

1.Sierra Nadeau. Michigan inmate sues after ID allegedly altered to depict racist stereotypes. Northern Michigan Journalism Collaborative, Bridge Michigan and Interlochen Public Radio, Sep. 10, 2026.

Spotted an error? Suggest a correction.

1.Sierra Nadeau. Michigan inmate sues after ID allegedly altered to depict racist stereotypes. Northern Michigan Journalism Collaborative, Bridge Michigan and Interlochen Public Radio, Sep. 10, 2026.

We provide independent Native-focused reporting that gives our communities the context and the facts they need to make informed decisions.

Jodi Rave Spotted Bear

Founder and Editor in Chief

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we exist to illuminate tribal government decision-making for everyone who cares about transparency about Native issues. Because the consequences of restricted press freedom affect our communities every day, our trauma-informed reporting is rooted in a deep, firsthand expertise. Every gift helps keep the fire burning. A monthly contribution makes the biggest impact.