By David Harris
Corrections.com
June 7, 2010
http://www.corrections.com/news/article/24749-mi-sex-offender-release-objected
FLUSHING, Michigan — A priest who admitted to molesting two Flushing boys will be up for parole in July.
Jason E. Sigler is serving a seven- to 15-year term in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct in 2003 for molesting Anthony Otero while he was a priest in the mid-1970s at St. Robert Catholic Church.
Sigler, 71, is set to get out in December 2011 but could be paroled in late July if approved by the parole board, according to the Michigan Department of Corrections. Sigler's sentence was reduced for good behavior, a representative for the corrections department said.
John Antos, father of another alleged victim, is speaking out against any early release after he received a letter from the Department of Corrections alerting him that Sigler was up for parole. He said he plans to write to the parole board opposing Sigler's release.
"I want to see him stay in that 15 years and even longer," Antos said.
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The Diocese of Lansing also opposes Sigler's early release.
"The Catholic Diocese of Lansing, including Bishop Earl Boyea, remains horrified at the crimes committed by Jason Sigler and certainly understands why the state of Michigan has imposed several lengthy prison terms," spokesman Michael Diebold said in a statement. "The Diocese knows of no reason why he should be given an early release."
Sigler also was sent to jail for a year for molesting two Detroit boys before facing charges here. In addition, he pleaded guilty to a sex charge in New Mexico, where he has admitted sexually abusing at least 17 boys in the 1970s and 1980s.
Sigler spent just eight months at St. Robert in 1974 before moving to New Mexico in 1975 and left the church in the 1980s.
According to the Corrections Department, 70 percent of prisoners are paroled the first time. About 1,000 prisoners a month are up for parole.
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