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Conviction upheld
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
The County Press
by SUSAN YOUNGER
http://www.countypress.com/stories/040407/loc_20070404003.shtml
Convicted former Lapeer County Sheriff's deputy Kevin Chittick will likely serve out his sentence of seven to 15 years behind bars for having sex with underage girls.
Last Thursday, Michigan Court of Appeals Judge David H. Sawyer, Judge E. Thomas Fitzgerald and Judge Pat M. Donofrio unanimously denied Chittick's request for a new trial, said Lapeer County assistant prosecutor Geoffrey Stuart.
In May 2005, Chittick, 38, was found guilty of 19 counts of criminal sexual conduct. The Grand Blanc man was convicted of 14 counts of third-degree CSC. Chittick also was convicted of five counts of fourth-degree CSC and willful neglect of duty for spending time at the girls' homes while on duty.
The charges stemmed from sexual assaults in Lapeer, Genesee and Oscoda counties from the end of 2001 through 2002. Both girls were between the ages of 13-15 at the time. The allegations came to light in January 2004, when one of the girls told her aunt.
Chittick, through his appeals attorney Mark Sawtawa, claimed he hadn't received a fair trial because Lapeer County Prosecutor Byron Konschuh reviewed computer materials that involved attorney-client matters.
"His computer was seized by the Michigan State Police after it was revealed Chittick had an affinity towards child pornography," said Stuart. "Pornography is a standard grooming technique used to make children think their having sex is normal. There were conversations between Chittick and his attorney on the computer. However, there was no information used at trial that was gained from the seizure."
Through his attorney, Chittick also argued he was denied a fair trial because of hearsay testimony made by his wife during cross examination. His wife said her sister was made uncomfortable by Chittick when he made fun of her underwear and put his hand on her belly.
When Chittick was hired — he began in 1998 and later resigned in May 2003 — there was no way to foresee these actions, said Lapeer County Sheriff Ron Kalanquin previously. Chittick had passed a very stringent written test and was working on his bachelor's degree at the University of Michigan-Flint. Prior to coming on with the LCSD, he had been a paramedic in the Navy with dive experience and received a "glowing recommendation" from his shift supervisor at the Portsmouth, Va., Police Department.
It's likely Chittick will spend at least five more years behind bars before he is eligible for parole unless an appeal request is granted by the Michigan Supreme Court.
"But that's not likely," said Stuart.
Court Denies Deputy A New Trial for molestation charges
March 31, 2007
The Flint Journal
http://www.mlive.com/news/fljournal/index.ssf?/base/news
Police officers, Kalanquin said, must maintain strong personal and professional ethical values. There are 83 people working for the sheriff's department and, Kalanquin said, they are doing an excellent job. The single incident involving Chittick, Kalanquin said, is disappointing, but it doesn't cast a huge shadow on the department.
"The other employees are doing a marvelous job," Kalanquin said. "I think people understand that sometimes these things happen, despite our best efforts."
Court Denies Deputy A New Trial for molestation charges
March 31, 2007
The Flint Journal
http://www.mlive.com/news/fljournal/index.ssf?/base/news-4/1175343736113500.xml&coll=5
LAPEER , MICHIGAN - A former Lapeer County sheriff’s deputy won’t get a new trial on his 2005 sexual assault conviction, the Michigan Court of Appeals has ruled.
Kevin Chittick, 40, of Grand Blanc Township was sentenced in July 2005 to 7 years 11 months to 15 years in prison by Lapeer Circuit Judge Nick O. Holowka.
Chittick in his appeal claimed errors by his attorney, the prosecutor and judge necessitated a new trial.
In its March 20 ruling, the appeals court said if there were any errors, they did not prejudice the outcome of the trial.
Chittick is serving his sentence at the Muskegon Correctional Facility.
The former deputy was found guilty by a jury of 14 counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, five counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of neglect of duty.
The charges stemmed from relationships Chittick developed with two underage girls.
Chittick met one girl while he was investigating a missing teen in 2001 and began developing a sexual relationship with her while the girl was 13 and 14 in 2001 and 2002.
Another girl, a friend of the first victim, testified that Chittick sexually assaulted her in her backyard pool.
Chittick, who was married, accompanied the girls to a summer horse camp in Oscoda County, where additional sexual assaults occurred.
The first victim’s parents testified they didn’t initially discourage the friendship because Chittick was a deputy, but they later banned her from seeing him after they became suspicious.
Despite knowing the parents’ wishes, a North Branch middle school teacher allowed Chittick to meet with the girl at the teacher’s home, where another sexual assault occurred.
The teacher received a suspension from the district.
Prison bound
Ex-deputy gets seven to 15 years
PUBLISHED: Wednesday, July 13, 2005
The County Press
by KIMBERLY DUTKIEWICZ
http://countypress.com/stories/071305/loc_20050713006.shtml
LAPEER—Former Lapeer County sheriff's deputy Kevin Chittick will spend seven to 15 years in prison for having sex with two under-age girls while he was with the department.
In May, Chit-tick, 38, was found guilty of 19 counts of criminal sexual conduct. The Grand Blanc man was convicted of 14 counts of third-degree CSC. He faced eight counts of first-degree CSC and six counts of third-degree CSC.
Jurors found him not guilty on the eight counts of first-degree CSC, instead convicting him on the lesser offense of third-degree CSC. Had Chittick been convicted of first-degree CSC, he would have faced up to life in prison. Chittick also was convicted of five counts of fourth-degree CSC and willful neglect of duty for spending time at the girls' homes while on duty.
According to Prosecutor Byron Konschuh, Circuit Judge Nick Holowka sentenced Chittick to 7 years and 11 months up to 15 years on each of the 14 counts of third-degree CSC. He also gave Chittick 16 months to 2 years on each of the five counts of fourth-degree CSC and 270 days on the willful neglect of duty charge. The sentences run concurrently.
Konschuh said Chittick will be processed through Jackson State Prison. It's not known at this time where he will be placed afterwards. Chittick will do seven years and 11 months before being considered for parole, Konschuh said.
"He has given the law enforcement community a huge black eye," Konschuh said. "I hope citizens understand he is by far the exception, not the rule. I certainly hope citizens trust their police officers because they've earned it, despite the fact that Kevin Chittick has attempted to destroy law enforcement's reputation."
Chittick's attorney, Michael Manley of Flint, said, "We are obviously disappointed by the jury verdict and we will pursue all appeal options."
Before sentencing, one of the victims, Konschuh said, described how she had been hurt by Chittick's lies, his deceit. She feels betrayed. Based on her own testimony during trial, Konschuh said, the girl, now 16, was in a consensual relationship with Chittick. Now, Konschuh said, she realizes why it's illegal for someone under age 16 to have sex—they're not emotionally and socially prepared for such a relationship.
The charges stemmed from sexual assaults in Lapeer, Genesee and Oscoda counties from the end of 2001 through 2002. Both girls were between the ages of 13-15 at the time. The allegations came to light in January 2004, when one of the girls told her aunt.
The 16-year-old girl accused Chittick of sexually assaulting her in his home, during a horse trip to Oscoda County and a vacation to Florida—Chittick and his wife and the girl's family went—in the barn, pasture and pool at the other girl's home, and at a teacher's house. The girl testified Chittick sexually assaulted her in the back of a van as her father drove to Florida. She also said Chittick tried to assault her in the water during an outing to the ocean.
The other girl accused Chittick of grabbing her breasts while the two rode a horse together. She also testified Chittick removed her bathing suit and brushed his hand across her privates while she, the other girl and Chittick swam in her pool.
"Justice has been served," Lapeer County Sheriff Ron Kalanquin said. "A jury of his peers convicted him."
When Chittick was hired—he began in 1998, resigning from the department in May 2003—there was no way to foresee that these actions would have occurred, Kalanquin said.
Chittick had passed a very stringent written test, he was working on his bachelor's degree at the University of Michigan in Flint, he had been a paramedic in the Navy, had dive experience, and, Kalanquin said, he had a "glowing recommendation" from his shift supervisor at the Portsmouth, Va., police department. He also had worked with a federal drug task, which highly recommended him
Chittick passed his oral interview before two Lapeer County sheriff's department sergeants and a lieutenant, Kalanquin said. A background investigation also was done. Detective Sgt. Nancy Stimson had concerns, Kalanquin said, that Chittick might not fit in, that he might not be able to accept how things were done at the department. Still, Kalanquin hired Chittick.
"Looking back, I wouldn't have done it," Kalanquin said. "But at the time, there was no indication in the work that he did that he was drawn toward pedophilia. ... We had absolutely no documentation about this child business."
Kalanquin watched Chittick carefully during his 12-month probationary period, during which time people in the community were pleased with Chittick's performance.
The allegations, Kalanquin said, didn't come out until about seven or eight months after Chittick left the sheriff's department.
Police officers, Kalanquin said, must maintain strong personal and professional ethical values. There are 83 people working for the sheriff's department and, Kalanquin said, they are doing an excellent job. The single incident involving Chittick, Kalanquin said, is disappointing, but it doesn't cast a huge shadow on the department.
"The other employees are doing a marvelous job," Kalanquin said. "I think people understand that sometimes these things happen, despite our best efforts."
Chittick sex trial continues today
PUBLISHED: Thursday, May 5, 2005
The County Press
by KIMBERLY DUTKIEWICZ
http://countypress.com/stories/050505/loc_20050505003.shtml
LAPEER—Opening statements were Tuesday in the case against Kevin Chittick, a former Lapeer County sheriff's deputy facing 19 counts of criminal sexual conduct for alleged assaults against two underage girls.
Prosecutor Byron Konschuh expected to call both girls to the witness stand—as well as the parents of one of the girls—today (Wednesday).
Konschuh and Chittick's attorney, Michael Manley of Flint, wrapped up opening statements around 4:30 p.m. Circuit Judge Nick Holowka then sent the jury of eight women and six men home for the night.
The Grand Blanc man faces 14 counts of first-degree CSC and three counts of second-degree CSC involving one of the girls. Chittick also faces two counts of second-degree CSC involving another teen—she and the other alleged victim are friends. Chittick also was charged with willful neglect of duty, based on allegations he would spend several hours, while on duty, at the girls' homes.
The charges stem from alleged sexual assaults in Lapeer, Genesee and Oscoda counties from the end of 2001 through 2002. Both girls were between the ages of 13 and 15 at the time. Konschuh said the alleged assaults occurred when Chittick, 37, was off-duty. The allegations came to light in January 2004, when one of the girls told her aunt. The matter then was brought to the attention of state police.
In their opening statements, each lawyer painted a picture of friendship. Both said Chittick initially befriended the family of one of the victims. Chittick would be spend so much time there, visiting the family while on duty, Konschuh said, that people confronted him, asking if he shouldn't be out issuing tickets.
Chittick, Konschuh said, began complimenting the girl's appearance and buying her gifts. Trust built between the girl's family and Chittick and his wife, so the girl and her siblings would stay with the Chitticks when their parents were away. They even vacationed together. This led, Konschuh said, to the assaults. The girl, Konschuh said, fought them at first, but eventually went along with it because it hurt less. She grew to have feelings for him, Konschuh said, and thought they were in a relationship.
When the girl's parents put a stop to Chittick coming to their Deerfield Township home, Konschuh said, Chittick began going to the other girl's house, where they have horses and a swimming pool. That led to assaults against both girls, while they were all on a camping trip in Oscoda County.
Manley said the first girl's mother took a liking to Chittick, inviting him to a pig roast and asking him to talk to her daughter, who was having problems. The girl's parents were having marital issues, said Manley, and the girl's mother, begged, encouraged and did everything she could to get Chittick involved in her life and her children's lives. It was and opportunity for Chittick and his wife—who were new to the area—to become friends with the girl's family.
The Chitticks opened their home to the kids, said Manley, so the girl and her siblings saw Chittick as a father figure, adding there was nothing improper going on.
Manley questioned how the assaults could have happened at Chittick's home when the girl's siblings and Chittick's wife were there, or in the tent, when the other girl also was there. The girl claims she clawed and scratched at Chittick, Manley said, yet nobody heard anything, and she never told Chittick's wife or her own parents. Manley also said no DNA evidence of blood or semen was found any of the places the girl said there were assaults.
Chittick sex trial continues today
PUBLISHED: Wednesday, May 4, 2005
The County Press
by KIMBERLY DUTKIEWICZ
http://countypress.com/stories/05042005/index.shtml
LAPEER. Opening statements were Tuesday in the case against Kevin Chittick, a former Lapeer County sheriff’s deputy facing 19 counts of criminal sexual conduct for alleged assaults against two underage girls.
Prosecutor Byron Konschuh expected to call both girls to the witness stand, as well as the parents of one of the girls today (Wednesday).
Konschuh and Chittick’s attorney, Michael Manley of Flint, wrapped up opening statements around 4:30 p.m. Circuit Judge Nick Holowka then sent the jury of eight women and six men home for the night.
The Grand Blanc man faces 14 counts of first-degree CSC and three counts of second-degree CSC involving one of the girls. Chittick also faces two counts of second-degree CSC involving another teen, she and the other alleged victim are friends. Chittick also was charged with willful neglect of duty, based on allegations he would spend several hours, while on duty, at the girls’ homes.
The charges stem from alleged sexual assaults in Lapeer, Genesee and Oscoda counties from the end of 2001 through 2002. Both girls were between the ages of 13 and 15 at the time. Konschuh said the alleged assaults occurred when Chittick, 37, was off-duty. The allegations came to light in January 2004, when one of the girls told her aunt. The matter then was brought to the attention of state police.
In their opening statements, each lawyer painted a picture of friendship. Both said Chittick initially befriended the family of one of the victims. Chittick would be spend so much time there, visiting the family while on duty, Konschuh said, that people confronted him, asking if he shouldn’t be out issuing tickets.
Chittick, Konschuh said, began complimenting the girl’s appearance and buying her gifts. Trust built between the girl’s family and Chittick and his wife, so the girl and her siblings would stay with the Chitticks when their parents were away. They even vacationed together. This led, Konschuh said, to the assaults. The girl, Konschuh said, fought them at first, but eventually went along with it because it hurt less. She grew to have feelings for him, Konschuh said, and thought they were in a relationship.
When the girl’s parents put a stop to Chittick coming to their Deerfield Township home, Konschuh said, Chittick began going to the other girl’s house, where they have horses and a swimming pool. That led to assaults against both girls, while they were all on a camping trip in Oscoda County.
Manley said the first girl’s mother took a liking to Chittick, inviting him to a pig roast and asking him to talk to her daughter, who was having problems. The girl’s parents were having marital issues, said Manley, and the girl’s mother, begged, encouraged and did everything she could to get Chittick involved in her life and her children’s lives. It was and opportunity for Chittick and his wife who were new to the area to become friends with the girl’s family.
The Chitticks opened their home to the kids, said Manley, so the girl and her siblings saw Chittick as a father figure, adding there was nothing improper going on.
Manley questioned how the assaults could have happened at Chittick’s home when the girl’s siblings and Chittick’s wife were there, or in the tent, when the other girl also was there. The girl claims she clawed and scratched at Chittick, Manley said, yet nobody heard anything, and she never told Chittick’s wife or her own parents. Manley also said no DNA evidence of blood or semen was found any of the places the girl said there were assaults.
Manley said the girl is a “manipulative teenager,” who was upset because Chittick didn’t want anything to do with her family anymore. Chittick, Manley said, was just burned very badly by a family with a lot of problems.
I had the misfortune to live next door to this creep in Portsmouth, VA. My husband knew him from his time in the Navy (he worked rhythm for my husband), and said he was a dirtbag the day we moved into our new house.
ReplyDeleteWithin days, he was ingratiating himself with us, and I could tell right away something wasn't right about him. I had a four year old daughter and told her to stay away from him. He would come over the minute he saw my husband's car pull out of the driveway, and try to talk his way inside. We also had neighbors who had seven daughters, aged 2 to 15,and he was always acting highly inappropriately with them--buying them inappropriate gifts, taking them for ice cream. Their father, who was in the military, hated him and told him to stay away from his kids and wife, because he was also always trying to start fights between the parents (which, in retrospect, makes perfect sense. Children of divorced parents are MUCH more susceptible to grooming than those in happy homes with happily married parents). I even talked to both parents about it. When the girls' father had to deployed for a humanitarian mission, Kevin jumped at the chance to spend time at their house and practically tried to move in (their mother was a very decent and kind person, although possibly too trusting).
They ended up moving because when the father came home from deployment, he found out what Chittick was doing. He moved to a different city so that he couldn't try to visit the girls while on patrols like he did before. Their father also told him in no uncertain terms to stay away.
A couple of years later, my now ex-husband stayed in our house which was next door to Chitticks, and a year or two later he told me that the FBI came to his and asked a lot of questions about Chittick, trying to see if anyone knew his whereabouts.... (cont.)
(Cont.)....
ReplyDeleteThe FBI agents confided in my ex husband that Kevin was on the run because he's been busted behind the local High school (Churchland High school) one night in his uniform and on duty in his patrol car with a 15 year old girl giving him oral sex. Apparently, he'd busted her and her boyfriend for messing around in a dark place behind the school and threatened to arrest them, then convinced them that if the girl gave him oral sex while the boy watched, he would let them go. The boy ran off as his girlfriend started giving him what he demanded, apparently ran home, told his mom, and she called police and reported it. He apparently was fired immediately and left town before he could see what action the city would take.
DESPITE ALL THIS, after he ran to Michigan, he apparently asked SOMEONE at the Portsmouth PD (which are as corrupt and incompetent a police force as you will ever see!) for a letter of reference, and they happily obliged--despite knowing all they did about him! So they are EQUALLY complicit in the crimes this man committed. Whomever wrote that letter of recommendation should be rotting right next to him, because he or she KNEW there were multiple complaints about his inappropriate behavior toward pre-teen and early-teen girls, and yet helped him get a job in a position where he could exploit his power and try to dampen any doubts about his reputation (after all, no police force world ever hire a guy who's been in trouble with the law, right??) in order to acquire victims.
Seeing a picture of him makes my skin crawl. He's lost his hair, but he still looks like the same d-bag he was when we knew and avoided him. I STILL believe he molested at least one, and most likely multiple, daughters of our old neighbors. I even told him several times his behavior was inappropriate...you know what his answer was? "You should just be glad I'm not trying to talk to YOUR daughter." !!! I told him if I ever caught him trying, I'd kick his teeth in. "Yeah, and I'd arrest you and throw your Ass in jail for assaulting a police officer. And I wouldn't be nice when I did it."
So...yeah. Next time you have that guy who just seems like he's "NOT right"...listen to your inner voice. It knows. Don't find reasons to invalidate the feeling you have, just follow it!
I can't help but wonder how many of his victims were silent, and are still silent? I was 13 in 2001 Kevin saved the life of some one very dear to me and used the innocence of another I love against me to steal my life. Only a Monster would do that to an innocent child.
ReplyDelete