(WWJ) A former Boy Scout leader in Macomb County has been sentenced to as much as two decades in prison for child sexual assault, in a case dating back to the year 2000.
Mark Chapman, 51, of New York was sentenced according to his plea agreement before Judge Kathryn Viviano in Macomb County Circuit Court, the Michigan Attorney General's Office Announced Wednesday.
He will serve two sentences of 12-20 years and 10-15 years, concurrently in the Michigan Department of Corrections.
According to the AG's office, Chapman was serving as a Boy Scouts of America (now BSA) troop master and also worked at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints when he sexually assaulted two boys.
Authorities say he abused one victim from when he was 13 years old until he were 17 years old. The abused happened at the house, at Chapman’s house, and at the church where Chapman did odd jobs.
The second victim was family member, with the abuse beginning when the child was 11 years old. “The abuse went on for years and often revolved around times that were designated as special opportunities for Chapman to spend time with the boy,” according to a news release.
Chapman pleaded guilty to the following charges:
- One count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, with a sentence agreement of 12-20 years in the Michigan Department of Corrections, lifetime sex offender registration, and lifetime electronic monitoring as mandated by statute, and sex offender counseling.
- One count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, with a sentence agreement of 10-15 years served in the Michigan Department of Corrections, lifetime sex offender registration, and sex offender counseling.
Nessel said Chapman is the first person to be convicted as a result of a wide-reaching ongoing BSA investigation.
"Regardless how much time has passed, or how difficult the circumstances of a case may be, I am committed to seeing justice delivered for survivors of sexual assault,” said Nessel. “Today’s sentencing sends a clear message that those who prey upon children will be punished. As our review of allegations made against adults in the Boy Scouts of America continues, I encourage those with information to come forward and share their story with the Department of Attorney General.”
This comes as thousands of sexual abuse claims have been sent from BSA national for review. Currently, the AG said a completed review of 1,900 claims has resulted in roughly 89 cases being investigated for further action.
The claim review process is ongoing.
Those with information about the Boy Scouts of America that you think would help are asked to call the investigation tip line at 844-324-3374 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Tips can be left anonymously.
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