Former Jackson Lumen Christi High School Priest Charged with Criminal Sexual Conduct 30 Years after Alleged Abuse

By Theresa Ghilon
MLive
January 12, 2015

http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2015/01/former_jackson_lumen_christi_h.html

James Rapp

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette filed 13 criminal sexual conduct charges against a former Jackson Lumen Christi High School priest in Jackson County District Court on Monday, Jan. 12.

James Francis Rapp, 74, faces three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and 10 counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct for crimes he allegedly committed while assigned to Lumen Christi High School from 1980-86, according to a statement from Schuette's office.

Rapp served as a priest, teacher, maintenance supervisor and wrestling coach during his time at Lumen Christi High School, according to the statement.

Rapp is incarcerated in Oklahoma on multiple felony charges. The investigation into the allegations against Rapp in Jackson began in the spring of 2013 when two men reported the alleged sexual abuse to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, according to the statement.

Jackson County Sheriff Steve Rand said investigators identified two additional victims during the course of the nearly two-year-long investigation.

"I would like to praise the work of Sgt. Tim Schlundt in this investigation. Many hours were spent in an attempt to gather facts about this case," Rand said in the statement. "Despite the age of this case, the lives of the victims continue to be impacted. It is my hope that the opportunity for victims to have their day in court will bring some degree of comfort."

The sheriff's office was assisted in the investigation with support from the attorney general's criminal division and his Cold Case Sexual Assault Project that was created in 2012.

"People who abuse their authority by preying on children must be brought to justice, no matter when the crime was committed," Schuette said in the statement. "Our aggressive, victim-centered approach has brought us one step closer to securing justice for these brave men who stepped forward to tell of the abuse they endured many years ago."

The statement said Schuette will "immediately begin" the extradition process to bring Rapp from Oklahoma to Michigan to face the charges.

According to the statement, Rapp was ordained in 1959. He went on to work in Philadelphia from 1959-61; Salt Lake City from 1968-73; Lockport, N.Y., from 1979-80; Naperville, Ill., from 1987-90; and Duncan, Okla., from 1990-98.

Schuette said anyone who believes he or she may have information about Rapp's alleged sexual abuse is encouraged to contact the Attorney General's Criminal Division at 313-456-0180.

tghiloni@mlive.com