Great Lakes Wire

A Clare County man has been convicted of criminal sexual conduct against a minor relative. Roland Bourgeois, 56, from Lake, was found guilty by a jury in the 55th Circuit Court on two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. The jury reached their decision after less than an hour of deliberation.

The crimes took place in 2018 when Bourgeois committed multiple acts of sexual misconduct against a child relative, including forcing her to touch his genital area. The victim disclosed these incidents last year to a school counselor. She had previously been instructed by Bourgeois not to reveal what had happened.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel expressed gratitude for the jury's service and acknowledged the efforts of Child Protective Services and the Michigan State Police in their investigation. "Justice, however, would not have been possible without the courage of the victim to come forward, and I would like to commend her bravery," Nessel stated. "My Department will continue to support survivors and hold the abusers who commit these heinous crimes accountable."

The case was investigated by Child Protective Services and the Michigan State Police, with prosecution led by the Department of Attorney General at the request of the Clare County Prosecuting Attorney.

Bourgeois is scheduled for sentencing before Judge Roy G. Mienk on January 28, 2025.