No Sexual Abuse Charges to Be Filed against Retired Priest

By Aaron Boehm
Upper Michigan's Source
October 6, 2014

http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/news/story.aspx?id=1106112#.VDOEvvl_uSp


No charges will be filed against the retired priest accused of sexual abuse against male minors which occurred in the late 1990s.

According to Schoolcraft County Prosecuting Attorney Tim Noble, sexual assault charges cannot legally be filed against Father James Menapace due to the statute of limitations. Michigan law states that crimes of this nature must be charged within 10 years of the offense date or before the victim's 21st birthday, whichever is greater. Investigation has determined that both of these timeframes have passed.

The prosecutor's office was made aware of the allegations in February of 2014. They referred the information to the Michigan State Police for investigation, who subsequently submitted the full report to their office.

The Catholic Diocese of Marquette released a press release on September 23 reporting that allegations of sexual abuse against Menapace were deemed credible. Menapace has been removed from all public priestly ministry and prohibited from presenting himself as a priest.

If anyone has any additional information regarding Menapace, they are encouraged to contact the Schoolcraft County Prosecuting Attorney's Office at (906) 341-3691 or the Michigan State Police St. Ignace post and speak with Detective Chris Wayward.