ANN ARBOR (MI)
Michigan Radio 91.7 FM NPR
September 5, 2018
By Steve Carmody
Prosecutors and police say a Catholic priest’s ‘no contest’ pleas to sexual abuse charges this week will give his victims closure.
Father Robert Deland was scheduled to face the first of three trials this week. The charges related to incidents involving three young men, between the ages of 17 and 21. But before jury selection could begin, Deland entered ‘no contest’ pleas to six felony and one misdemeanor charge.
Deland is expected to be sentenced to one year in the county jail when he appears before a judge later this fall. He remains free on bond. The church removed him from ministry eariler this year. Prosecutors say Deland will likely face a relatively short sentence due to his otherwise clean record.
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