LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Attorney General Dana Nessel is providing an update into an ongoing Clergy abust investigation.
Patrick Casey, 56, of Bellaire, had previously plead guilty to one misdemeanor count of Aggravated Assault in early October. He is the first defendant in the investigation to be convicted.
Wednesday, Casey was sentenced to 45 days in Wayne County Jail and one year of probation. He will also be required to attend sex offender counseling.
“For too long, victims of clergy abuse have suffered unimaginable pain – often in silence,” Nessel said. “Mr. Casey’s sentencing today provides a sense of justice for his victim and reinforces our commitment to survivors that we will use every available resource at our disposal to hold abusers accountable for their actions.”
Casey had been accused of sexually assaulting a young man who was seeking counseling.
In Western Michigan, Brian Stanley, 57, of Coloma, pleaded guilty to one felony count of Attempted False Imprisonment during his final pretrial conference today in Allegan County Court.
Stanley was charged in August after being accused of holding a teenager against his will in the janitor’s room of St. Margaret’s Church in 2013.
Nessel’s office says that Stanley reportedly immobilized the young man by wrapping him tightly in plastic wrap, then used masking tape to cover his eyes and mouth. Stanley left the victim, bound and alone, in the janitor’s room for an extended period of time before returning and eventually letting him go.
“Mr. Stanley’s decision to plead guilty to Attempted False Imprisonment ensures that he will be held accountable for the pain and suffering he has caused,” Nessel said. “His guilty plea marks the second conviction in our aggressive pursuit of justice for all those who have been victimized by priests or members of the clergy. Our department remains steadfast in its commitment to bringing a swift end to an era of abuse that has hidden in plain sight for too long.”
Following Stanley’s plea, the Diocese of Kalamazoo released the following statement regarding Stanley:
“The Diocese of Kalamazoo learned this afternoon that Fr. Brian Stanley, who has been and remains on administrative leave from active ministry since January of 2017, pleaded guilty to one felony count of Attempted False Imprisonment. The incident referenced was reported to the Diocese in 2013, and was promptly reported to Child Protective Services, which referred the matter to the Otsego Police Department for investigation. We continue to cooperate with the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Michigan throughout its ongoing investigation. We continue to pray for all victims and remain steadfast in our commitment to promote greater protection and safeguards of all people, particularly for children and vulnerable adults.”
Stanley’s sentencing date has been set for January 27, 2020.
