SHELBY TWP. (WWJ) -- A former Macomb County Catholic priest got hit with the maximum penalty for sexually assaulting a teenager 35 years ago.
Neil Kalina was sentenced to seven to 15 years in prison on Tuesday morning in the Macomb County Circuit Court -- three years after he was charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct for molesting a 14-year-old boy back in 1987 when he was a priest at St. Kiernan Catholic Church in Shelby Township.
According to WWJ Newsradio 950's Charlie Langton, Kalina told the judge that the victims lied and that he was going to appeal.
However, the victim -- who is now 52 years old -- is pleased with the sentence.
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"My whole life has been in turmoil because of this, so finally there's a little bit of closure," the victim said. "I'm glad it's done and over with."
Kalina is one of 11 priests who have been charged as part of a special investigation by the Michigan Attorney General's office.
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