Former MLB outfielder Chad Curtis convicted of sexually assaulting three teen girls in Michigan
Former major league outfielder Chad Curtis, 44, was found guilty on Friday of sexually assaulting three teenage girls while serving as a substitute teacher and weight-room coach at their Lakewood, Mich high school.
According to Michigan Live, a Barry County jury needed only a few hours of deliberation to convict Curtis on six charges, which the Associated Press reports included second, third and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. Curtis will be sentenced on Sept. 26 and faces a maximum of 15 years in prison.
MLive has many details of the trial, which are quite frankly disturbing. But it's important to recognize the courage of the three victims who were able to come forward in this case. The Barry County prosecutor says it was that courage and their credibility that led to the conviction, and may have saved others from suffering the same fate.
"We give these young ladies so much credit for their courage," Barry County Prosecutor Julie Nakfoor-Pratt said. "It took a lot of courage to testify."
She said the victims - all 15 or 16 when the assaults happened - were pleased with the outcome of the trial.
"This has been such a long road for them," she said. "This is a step in the healing process for them."
The now 44-year-old Curtis made the move to teaching after spending 10 seasons in the big leagues alternating between regular and role player. His career included stints with six different teams, beginning with the California (now Los Angeles) Angels in 1992 and finishing up with the Texas Rangers in 2001. He also suited up for the Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees.
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