MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN -Patrick Roy Wandahsega, 40, of Wilson, Michigan, was found guilty of abusive sexual contact with a child under 12 years, Acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Byerly Birge, announced today. The trial, which lasted four days, was held before U.S. District Judge Paul L. Maloney.
The charge arose from an incident in December 2015, in which Wandahsega sexually abused a six-year-old child at his home on the Hannahville reservation. Hannahville law enforcement became aware of the incident when the victim reported the abuse to relatives and later a physician. After an extensive investigation, a federal grand jury indicted Wandahsega on two counts - the first charging Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child and the second charging, Abusive Sexual Contact Involving Young Children. The jury found Wandahsega guilty of the second charge. At sentencing, which has yet to be scheduled, Wandahsega will be facing a maximum of life imprisonment.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from sexual exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Attorney's Office, county and tribal prosecutor's offices, the Internet Crimes Against Children task force (ICAC), federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement are working closely together to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children. The partners in Project Safe Childhood work to educate local communities about the dangers of child exploitation, and to teach children how to protect themselves. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit the following web site: www.projectsafechildhood.gov. Individuals with information or concerns about possible child exploitation should contact local law enforcement officials.
The Hannahville Tribal Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hannah N. Bobee and Paul D. Lochner prosecuted the case.
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Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
