Former priest sentenced for sexual assault

Ontonagon County judge Michael Pope handed out the sternest sentence yet related to Attorney General Dana Nessel’s clergy sex abuse task force investigation. Gary Jacobs pled guilty earlier this year to three counts of criminal sexual conduct 1st degree and one count in the 2nd degree. The former priest was extradited from New Mexico to face the charges, plus an additional count in Dickinson County. Pope handed down eight to 15 years for each respective charge, running concurrently. Jacobs is 75 years old. If he is released from prison, he will be registered as a sex offender and monitored for life.

Nessel commented on the sentencing, saying “A lengthy prison sentence will never erase the pain Mr. Jacobs inflicted on those who trusted him, but it serves as an example of our pursuit of justice related to clergy abuse and, hopefully, can provide some sense of relief. We are indebted to those who came forward to make him accountable for his actions. Their courage to speak up is what drove these proceedings, so that while justice was delayed, it was certainly not denied.“

The Dickinson County sentencing hearing is scheduled for next month.