NewsLocal News

Actions

Michigan priest pleads no contest to sexual misconduct

Posted at 11:28 AM, Mar 26, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-26 23:22:47-04

SAGINAW, Mich. (AP) — A 72-year-old Michigan priest has pleaded no contest to sexual misconduct, less than a week after he was acquitted in a different case .

The Rev. Robert DeLand's plea occurred Tuesday before jury selection in the second of three trials.

The Saginaw County prosecutor says the plea closes the two remaining cases. DeLand pleaded no contest to second-degree criminal sexual conduct causing injury and gross indecency between males. Some charges were dropped.

A no-contest plea means DeLand didn't contest the evidence. It wasn't immediately known if there was a sentencing agreement. The prosecutor won't comment until a news conference Wednesday.

DeLand was pastor at St. Agnes Church in Freeland until his arrest in February 2018. He also regularly mixed with students at Freeland High School.