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	Priest Pleads Guilty in Csc Case By Jennifer Linn Luddington Daily News October 22, 2009 http://www.ludingtondailynews.com/news.php?story_id=46300 The Rev. Johnson Jeyabel Pappusamy, former pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church in Custer and St. Jerome Catholic Church in Scottville pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal sexual conduct, fourth degree, Wednesday. Pappusamy, was charged in April for an incident that allegedly occurred during the evening of Feb. 11 at the Ludington Meijer. In 51st Circuit Court Wednesday Pappusamy entered his plea. He told Judge Richard I. Cooper that he had entered the store to purchase light bulbs and began talking to the victim, a 27-year-old man, who was also in that department. Pappusamy admitted to touching the man over his clothing. He said no one else was nearby at the time of the incident. The victim later told store management who contacted police. During the hearing, Cooper asked Pappusamy if he understood the charge and that it involves the use of force or coercion to accomplish sexual contact with another person. Pappusamy said he did, and with assistance from his attorney, Jeffery Crampton of Grand Rapids, explained that he did not have permission to touch him. He said the victim didn’t say anything about the incident at the time, and Pappusamy said he doesn’t know if the man — who was younger and smaller in stature than the 38-year-old Pappusamy — was scared. The plea agreement reached between the Mason County Prosecutor’s Office and Pappusamy includes up to six months jail, with 30 days to be served up front, with the balance to be served at the court’s discretion. He must also receive a sex offender specific psychological evaluation and abide by the recommendations. He has already completed six months of inpatient treatment. Pappusamy will also have to register on the state’s sex offender list. No probation was requested by either the prosecution or defense. It is expected Pappusamy will return to India, his native country, and probation would be unenforceable. Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola said the victim and his family approved the plea agreement. Sentencing for Pappusamy is set for 2:45 p.m. Nov. 18. Pappusamy voluntarily began serving jail time Wednesday night after the hearing. His bond was revoked. He will have completed most of the 30 days jail by the time he is sentenced. When news of the investigation broke, the church said it was made aware of the allegations and Pappusamy resigned Feb. 18. As of press time it was unclear when police were first contacted. “We were saddened to learn of the incident,” said Mary Haarman, communications director for the Grand Rapids diocese. She said the diocese was also saddened by all the people who were hurt directly or indirectly by the incident. According to the Diocese of Grand Rapids, Pappusamy was ordained Sept. 16, 1998 in the Diocese of Sivagangai, India. He served as pastor at St. Mary Church in Custer and St. Jerome Church in Scottville from October 2008 until Feb. 18. He was the parish administrator from July 2007 through Oct. 1, 2008 at All Saints Church in Fremont and St. Joseph Church in White Cloud. From February through July 1, 2008 he served as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Consolation Church in Rockford. Contact: jlinn@ludingtondailynews.com
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