Ex-Michigan High School Priest Gets 20-40 Years In Prison For Teen Sex Assaults

JACKSON, Mich. (WWJ/AP) - A former Roman Catholic priest has been sentenced to at least 20 years in prison for sexual abuse connected to his work at a Michigan high school in the 1980s.

At age 75, James Francis Rapp likely will die in prison. He's already serving time for similar crimes in Oklahoma — one of many stops as a priest.

Rapp's victims from Lumen Christi High School spoke for more than two hours in a Jackson courtroom Friday. He pleaded no contest in February to criminal sexual conduct.

Defense attorney Alfred Brandt said Rapp coerced students into having sexual contact while he worked as a teacher, maintenance supervisor and wrestling coach.

Rapp was told to leave that school in 1987 following allegations a student was molested, and was sentenced to prison in 1999 for sexually abusing teenage boys in Oklahoma.

The Jackson investigation then began three years ago when victims approached the sheriff's department.

In announcing the charges, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette said the teens were "robbed of a normal childhood" by Rapp.

Rapp, who was ordained in 1959, also held teaching assignments in New York, Philadelphia and Illinois during his time as a priest.

Schuette said Friday says Rapp's prison sentence "hopefully offers some solace" to victims.

According to reports, medical records show Rapp was diagnosed with "fixated ephebophilia" — a sexual attraction to adolescent boys.  He underwent treatment and was allowed to return to work as a priest, but has since been defrocked.

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