A former Michigan priest has been sentenced to three to 15 years in state prison for raping a 7-year-old boy in 2004. Joseph Baker, 60, will also be required to register as a sex offender for life. Baker was convicted of first-degree criminal sexual conduct in October by a Wayne County jury. He was accused … Read more
A trial may finally be looming for a former Flint-area priest accused of sexually assaulting two men in the mid-1990s, when the alleged victims were under 13 years old. Vincent DeLorenzo, 83, appeared Tuesday, Jan. 17, before Genesee County Circuit Judge Brian S. Pickell along with his attorney Michael Beer and assistant attorney general Danielle … Read more
The Catholic Diocese of Saginaw has permanently removed one of its priests from duty, years after the priest was accused of sexual misconduct. On Friday, July 23, Bishop Robert Gruss removed the Rev. Ronald J. Dombrowski from ministry, the diocese said in a statement. The diocese had suspended Dombrowski in March 2018 as a “precautionary … Read more
A two-year investigation into sexual abuse in Michigan’s Catholic churches has, so far, identified 454 accused priests and 811 victims, and led to charges against 11 clergymen. Of the 11 charged, two have been convicted thus far. Their sentences were for 60 and 45 days in jail. Read more at Michigan Live
A former Catholic priest has pleaded no contest to a criminal charge stemming from him exposing himself in public. Lawrence M. Ventline, 70, on Jan. 15 appeared in Huron County District Court and pleaded no contest to the lone count he faced, that of indecent exposure. The charge is a one-year misdemeanor. Huron County Prosecutor … Read more
The Catholic Diocese of Saginaw has added the names of eight religious-order clergy to its website naming those who, according to the church, have at least one credible allegation of child sexual abuse against them. Church officials could not be reached immediately for comment. But the Saginaw Diocese website now includes the names of several members … Read more
A former Ann Arbor and Jackson priest accused of sexually assaulting an altar boy nearly 30 years ago has been formally charged. Timothy M. Crowley, 70, was arraigned Saturday, June 29 in Washtenaw County on eight felony counts of criminal sexual conduct, court records show. Crowley’s arrest was announced in May along with that of … Read more
A Catholic priest in Ypsilanti has resigned amid claims he sexually harassed a female colleague, the Catholic Diocese of Lansing says. Rev. Robert Robbenbuck was placed on medical leave in February. The Lansing Diocese announced Roggenbuck’s resignation April 1. “After his departure on Feb. 13, 2019, in the course of a diocesan inquiry at the … Read more
When a beloved priest known as “Father Bob” was charged with sex crimes a year ago, the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw vowed to help investigators. Bishop Joseph Cistone said he had a “sincere desire for justice” and the diocese “would cooperate fully with law enforcement.” Prosecutors say it didn’t happen that way. In the year … Read more