Great Lakes Wire

This week, the Michigan Court of Appeals upheld the convictions and sentences of John Digiacomo, 61, from Clio. Digiacomo was accused of multiple sexual assaults on an underage girl in Tuscola, Genesee, and Saginaw Counties between 2014 and 2015. The announcement came from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.

“I am grateful the Court upheld justice for the survivor in this case,” Nessel stated. “The bravery of the victim in coming forward and the dedication of our prosecutors ensured that Mr. Digiacomo will continue to spend years behind bars for his heinous crimes. My office remains committed to holding offenders accountable to support sexual assault survivors and the safety of the public.”

In 2014, Digiacomo's teenage victim moved in with her aunt, who was his neighbor. He worked as a tow truck driver. Along with a co-defendant, he began victimizing the teen when she was 14 years old. The assaults continued over ten months. Court records indicate that they provided her with narcotics and threatened her life and her family's if she attempted to stop or cut ties.

Digiacomo faced conviction by jury trial in February 2023 and received a sentence of up to 48 years' incarceration in Tuscola County for six counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct and several firearm offenses. In April 2024, he was sentenced to an additional 10-20 years' incarceration after pleading no contest to two counts of First-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct in Genesee County.

The co-defendant received sentencing in 2022 across both Tuscola and Genesee counties and is serving up to 15 years' incarceration for his involvement.

The Attorney General Cold Case Sexual Assault Project prosecuted this case. This project receives funding through a United States Department of Justice grant awarded by the Office of Violence Against Women aimed at combating intimate relationship violence. The Michigan Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention and Treatment Board administers this grant.