LANSING, Mich. — One year behind bars for a former Lansing Police Officer accused of sexually assaulting young teens.
One of his accusers Athziry Pilar sat down for an exclusive interview with Fox 47.
Cryss Walker reports on why she's not happy with that punishment.
A man once trusted to enforce the law and protect people is now considered a criminal behind bars.
Prosecutors recommend Matthew Priebe be locked up for a year on charges that could have put him behind bars much longer.
“I don't care if he has to spend the whole 20 years,” Pilar said.
The young woman says although Priebe assaulted her years ago the pain is still fresh.
“I don't agree on that and I will do whatever I can to change that to be longer because what he has to deal with is just for a year but what me and the rest of the girls have to deal with is a lifetime,” Pilar explained.
The accusations include sending nude photos and trying to kiss young students at school and in his patrol car.
Priebe was a resource officer at Lansing's Eastern High School.
Pilar is one of three students who say he violated them.
“This year recommended sentence is not going to fly with me because this has taken a toll on me for more than four years,” Pilar said.
Back in February Pilar told Fox 47 Priebe started making sexual advances towards her when she was a junior at Eastern.
The 20-year-old claims she and the other students were targeted because they are Latina.
“What a coincidence that it was just minorities,” Pilar said.
“Why doesn't the justice system open their eyes to see that? Any other time they see color. Why not this time?”
Right now Priebe is being held without bail in the Ingham County Jail.
He's due back in court for sentencing October 2nd.
Fox 47 will be there.
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