Former Catholic High School Priest Arraigned on 13 Charges of Criminal Sexual Conduct

By Theresa Ghiloni
MLive
May 28, 2015

http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2015/05/former_jackson_lumen_christi_h_1.html

James Rapp

A former Jackson Lumen Christi High School priest in Jackson was arraigned on 13 charges of criminal sexual conduct in district court Thursday morning.

James Rapp, 75, is charged with three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and 10 counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct for alleged sexual assaults against several boys in the 1980s, according to a statement from Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette's office.

Rapp served as a priest, teacher, maintenance supervisor and wrestling coach during his time at Lumen Christi High School from 1980-86, when the alleged crimes occurred, according to the statement.

Jackson County District Judge Joseph Filip set a $1 million bond for Rapp during his arraignment on May 28.

Rapp has been serving a 40-year prison sentence in Oklahoma, after he was convicted in 1999 of sexually abusing two teen-age boys in Duncan, Oklahoma, where he was a church pastor, according to Jackson Citizen Patriot archives.

The most recent charges against Rapp stem from an investigation by the Jackson County Sheriff's Office launched after two men reported the alleged abuse in the spring of 2013.

Sheriff Steve Rand said Sgt. Tim Shlundt "worked diligently" on the case and submitted his findings to the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office. The case was then forwarded to the Attorney General's Office, which filed charges against Rapp in January.

"These victims were children when this occurred, and I can say from just knowing some of the details, it has literally ruined their lives, and I think they still deserve their day in court — even 30 years later," Rand said.

Rapp is being held in a Michigan prison pending the outcome of the case, said Chris Gautz, a Michigan Department of Corrections spokesman.

He is scheduled for a preliminary examination conference on June 26.

Each count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct carries a maximum sentence of up to life in prison and each count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct carries a maximum penalty of up to 15 years in prison.

If convicted of any of the first-degree criminal sexual conduct charges, Rapp will also have to register as a sex offender in Michigan, according to the statement.

Residents who believe they may have information about Rapp's alleged sexual abuse are encouraged to contact the Attorney General's Criminal Division at 313-456-0180.

The case against Rapp is being handled by Schuette's Cold Case Sexual Assault Project.

tghiloni@mlive.com