Former Ann Arbor resident to spend 10-15 years in prison for sexually abusing young girl
A former Ann Arbor man will spend between 10 and 15 years in prison after pleading guilty on Wednesday to sexually abusing a young girl during a four-year period.
James Galt, currently of Portage, admitted to sexually abusing a young girl who was under the age of 13 from Jan. 1, 1997, until Dec. 31, 2001, while pleading guilty to a charge of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. The girl was 9 years old when the abuse, which Galt admitted included penetration, started.
AnnArbor.com is not revealing how Galt knew the victim because it could potentially identify her.
Galt said he commended the victim for coming forward and alerting authorities to the abuse.
“It pains me to admit this, but I sexually abused (the victim), which includes penetration,” Galt told Washtenaw County Trial Court Judge Archie Brown when entering his plea.
Although first-degree criminal sexual conduct of a victim younger than 13 years old carries a maximum punishment of life in prison, Galt will only serve between 10 and 15 years in prison because of a sentencing agreement with Brown. He will be officially sentenced at a court hearing at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 21. Galt is currently free on bond.
Galt’s lawyer James Fifelski informed him that his guilty plea can have potential immigration implications. Fifelski said it’s likely that Galt will be deported to his native Scotland after he is released from prison.
Galt was arraigned on the charge of first-degree criminal sexual conduct in May. Court records show that he is a divorced father of two and he used to live on Charlton Avenue in Ann Arbor, where he sexually assaulted the young girl.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
tinkerbell
Fri, Nov 11, 2011 : 5 a.m.
Kyle, you should know the difference between jail and prison by now.
Kyle Feldscher
Fri, Nov 11, 2011 : 2:27 p.m.
You are absolutely right, tinkerbell. My apologies. This is something I've been working on and will continue to do so. Thanks for pointing it out.
RJA
Thu, Nov 10, 2011 : 3:22 p.m.
My thought is this.....yes, spend 10-15 years here in prison. (and then be deported) Our courts and Attorneys are not stupid. I am sure Gait is aware that if he sould try to leave between now and the sentence date of Dec.21st , he will be caught and spend the rest of his life in prison. (he was still here yesterday). I wouldn't bet my pay check, not a gambler, but I think for his own good he needs to make this easier choice. If I was his attorney, he would make a visit to my office at least twice a week. No phone calls, just appear.
Kiwi
Thu, Nov 10, 2011 : 2:10 p.m.
Why wait to deport him back to Scotland until *after* he's served his prison sentence?
tinkerbell
Fri, Nov 11, 2011 : 4:59 a.m.
If he's deported now, he may not serve anytime behind bars. He may even return to the USA to commit more crimes.
Chris 8 - YPSI PRIDE
Thu, Nov 10, 2011 : 1:35 p.m.
"Galt is currently free on bond." ------- He now has 6 weeks to gather enough resources to cross one of the USA's very unsecure borders and flee to a non extradition Country. 10 to 15 years is a long time to spend behind bars. During the upcoming 6 weeks this man is more then likely going to ponder the idea of fleeing. I have to be honest, I am as afraid to go to prison as much as I am to die. If i were in his predicament I would be immediately looking for a way to obtain whatever is necessary to run if given six weeks to do so. With one facing a sentence like this why is he still free on bond? Especially when facing an immediate deportation upon release. Why was he not remanded without a bond? What he pled guity to is a henious crime and the sentence is questionable as well.
Belgium
Thu, Nov 10, 2011 : 8:07 p.m.
I agree too. Chris, do not molest children and you won't be tempted to flee prior to your sentencing.
Marilyn Wilkie
Thu, Nov 10, 2011 : 1:54 p.m.
I agree with you on this one. Why take chances?
jondhall
Thu, Nov 10, 2011 : 12:38 p.m.
Private cell requested !