MICHIGAN
MLive
By Theresa Ghiloni | tghiloni@mlive.com
on June 26, 2015
JACKSON, MI – A man who said he was among those victimized by former priest at Jackson Lumen Christi High School more than 30 years ago wants other victims to know that justice and closure are possible.
Andrew Russell, 46, spoke with the Jackson Citizen Patriot after a probable cause hearing for 75-year-old James Rapp, who faces 19 counts of criminal sexual conduct for crime he is accused of committing from 1981 through 1986.
“I’m not going to … hide my face, I’m going to step forward and talk for these people and represent these people,” Russell said. “It’s not just about this case. It’s about abuse worldwide and coming forward and getting healing. … It’s time justice was served, and to move on and get healing.”
He said there should be no shame or embarrassment in sharing the truth.
“I hate that it’s me, but somebody has to,” he said.
Russell said he is grateful that two men came forward in 2013 and reported the abuse to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. Sgt. Tim Schlundt then launched an extensive investigation against Rapp, who has been serving a 40-year prison sentencing in Oklahoma since 1999.
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