Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls - CSC Charges
Former Kent County official pleads in sex case
Associated Press State Wire
May 13, 2014
https://infoweb.newsbank.com/
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — A former Kent County commissioner has pleaded guilty in a sex case.
Gary Rolls faces at most a year in jail as part of a deal with prosecutors.
The 47-year-old pleaded guilty Tuesday to illegal use of a computer, tampering with evidence and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.
Rolls had been scheduled to stand trial next month on four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, charges that carry a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Rolls was accused of having sex with a girl with whom he began a relationship when she was 9. The woman is now in her 20s.
Defense lawyer Jeffrey O'Hara says the woman lied about numerous details.
Rolls resigned his county commission seat.
Former Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls' plea deal has most serious sex charges dropped
Muskegon Chronicle
May 13, 2014
https://infoweb.newsbank.com/
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The case against Gary Rolls has fundamentally fallen apart, leading to a deal that has the defendant - once accused of felonies carrying harsh prison terms - now facing at most a year in the jail he once oversaw as a Kent County commissioner.
Rolls quietly entered a guilty plea on Tuesday, May 13, to charges of illegal use of a computer, tampering with evidence and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, the least serious of Michigan's sexual misconduct laws.
Rolls, 47, was slated for a trial in Kent County Circuit Court on June 30 on four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. Those charges carried a potential maximum of life in prison, had he been convicted.
The computer and tampering crimes are felonies, but fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct is a high-court misdemeanor with a two-year maximum penalty.
But last week Rolls’ attorney, Jeffrey O’Hara, filed legal briefs claiming that Ionia County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Lori Kirkhoff has proof that the alleged victim lied repeatedly about details contained in her allegations regarding Rolls.
Rolls was accused of having sex with a Muskegon girl with whom he began a relationship in 1994 when she was 9 years old. The woman is now 29.
O’Hara claimed the alleged victim lied about numerous details in the case, including about her age, when incidents occurred, and when some photos held by the prosecution were taken.
The alleged victim reportedly told police she had photos sent to her in 1996 by Rolls of mutilated female genitalia. But O’Hara writes that tests done by the prosecution show that the earliest date the photo paper could have been created was 2004.
“What is remarkable about these lies is their elaborateness,” O’Hara writes. “The complainant stated repeatedly that the defendant gave her these female genital mutilation pictures when she was 12 years old and that the defendant made her carry them in her purse every day since 1996.”
O’Hara said the woman repeated the allegation regarding the photo to police and under oath during court hearings in Muskegon.
The defense has admitted the married father of four had sex with the alleged victim, but she was 16 or older when the sex occurred.
The defense claims the woman was seeking revenge on Rolls because he refused to leave his wife in order to continue his relationship with the complainant.
The accusations led to Rolls resigning his seat on the Kent County Commission.
Outside the courtroom, O’Hara did not wish to make a comment. Kirkhoff was not immediately available.
Rolls was remanded to jail pending his sentencing on June 19 before Judge Dennis Leiber.
Former Kent County commissioner charged with child sexual abuse claims lies have destroyed prosecution's case
Muskegon Chronicle
May 11, 2014
https://infoweb.newsbank.com/
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The case against Gary Rolls has fundamentally fallen apart, leading to a deal that has the defendant - once accused of felonies carrying harsh prison terms - now facing at most a year in the jail he once oversaw as a Kent County commissioner.
Rolls quietly entered a guilty plea on Tuesday, May 13, to charges of illegal use of a computer, tampering with evidence and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, the least serious of Michigan's sexual misconduct laws.
Rolls, 47, was slated for a trial in Kent County Circuit Court on June 30 on four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. Those charges carried a potential maximum of life in prison, had he been convicted.
The computer and tampering crimes are felonies, but fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct is a high-court misdemeanor with a two-year maximum penalty.
But last week Rolls’ attorney, Jeffrey O’Hara, filed legal briefs claiming that Ionia County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Lori Kirkhoff has proof that the alleged victim lied repeatedly about details contained in her allegations regarding Rolls.
Rolls was accused of having sex with a Muskegon girl with whom he began a relationship in 1994 when she was 9 years old. The woman is now 29.
O’Hara claimed the alleged victim lied about numerous details in the case, including about her age, when incidents occurred, and when some photos held by the prosecution were taken.
The alleged victim reportedly told police she had photos sent to her in 1996 by Rolls of mutilated female genitalia. But O’Hara writes that tests done by the prosecution show that the earliest date the photo paper could have been created was 2004.
“What is remarkable about these lies is their elaborateness,” O’Hara writes. “The complainant stated repeatedly that the defendant gave her these female genital mutilation pictures when she was 12 years old and that the defendant made her carry them in her purse every day since 1996.”
O’Hara said the woman repeated the allegation regarding the photo to police and under oath during court hearings in Muskegon.
The defense has admitted the married father of four had sex with the alleged victim, but she was 16 or older when the sex occurred.
The defense claims the woman was seeking revenge on Rolls because he refused to leave his wife in order to continue his relationship with the complainant.
The accusations led to Rolls resigning his seat on the Kent County Commission.
Outside the courtroom, O’Hara did not wish to make a comment. Kirkhoff was not immediately available.
Rolls was remanded to jail pending his sentencing on June 19 before Judge Dennis Leiber.
Defense attorney: Alleged sex abuse victim a proven liar
Grand Rapids Press
May 10, 2014
https://infoweb.newsbank.com/
Trial for former county commissioner Gary Rolls postponed until June 30
The trial for a former Kent County commissioner accused of child sexual abuse has been delayed after a defense attorney said the alleged victim is a proven liar.
The trial for Gary Rolls, 47, was slated to begin Monday in Kent County Circuit Court. Rolls faces four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, criminal use of a computer and tampering with evidence.
The trial has been postponed until June 30.
Rolls' attorney, Jeffrey O'Hara, has filed paperwork in the case claiming Ionia County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Lori Kirkhoff has proof the alleged victim has lied repeatedly about specific details contained in her allegations against Rolls.
Rolls is accused of having sex with a Muskegon girl with whom he allegedly began a relationship in 1994, when she was 9 years old. The woman now is 29.
O'Hara is seeking to limit the alleged victim's testimony, saying allowing her to testify about details that have been proven false would mean that she would be allowed to commit perjury in the prosecution of Rolls.
O'Hara alleged the defendant has lied about numerous details in the case, including her age, when incidents occurred and when some photos held by the prosecution were taken.
O'Hara contended alleged falsehoods should result in many of her allegations being excluded.
The defense has admitted the married father of four had sex with the alleged victim, but that she was 16 or older when the sex occurred.
The defense claims the woman is seeking revenge against Rolls because he refused to leave his wife for her.
"The prosecution knows that the defendant has a motive to lie because she had threatened to ruin the defendant's life," the defense document states.
The defense said it plans to introduce voicemails left by the alleged victim where she professed her love for Rolls and sought sexual relations with the defendant.
O'Hara also said Rolls passed two polygraph tests regarding his denial of the allegations, with results pending for another test.
O'Hara also is asking Judge Dennis Leiber to deny the admission of any reference to the nature of the sexual acts between Rolls and the alleged victim and the mention of sexual acts other than the specifically charged offenses, saying that would prejudice the jury.
Leiber has yet to rule on the defense request, but he did shoot down several other defense demands.
The judge ruled the defense will not have access to the journals and diaries of the alleged victim.
Leiber also ruled statements made by Rolls' wife are admissible by the prosecution. Rolls remains free on a $500,000 bond.
Court documents reveal possible Rolls' defense
WOOD TV8
May 9, 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCn_9bAiHzc
Former Kent County commissioner charged with child sexual abuse claims lies have destroyed prosecution's case
Grand Rapids Press
May 9, 2014
https://infoweb.newsbank.com/
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The trial for a former Kent County commissioner accused of child sexual abuse has been delayed after a defense attorney said the alleged victim is a proven liar.
Gary Rolls, 47, was slated for trial in Kent County Circuit Court on Monday, May 12, on four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, criminal use of a computer and tampering with evidence. That trial now has been postponed until June 30.
Rolls’ attorney, Jeffrey O’Hara, has filed paperwork in the case claiming that Ionia County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Lori Kirkhoff has proof that the alleged victim has lied repeatedly about specific details contained in her allegations regarding Rolls.
Rolls is accused of having sex with a Muskegon girl with whom he allegedly began a relationship in 1994, when she was 9 years old. The woman is now 29.
O’Hara is seeking to limit the alleged victim’s testimony, saying allowing her to testify about details that have been proven false would mean that she would be allowed to commit perjury in the prosecution of Rolls.
O’Hara writes that the defendant has lied about numerous details in the case, including about her age, when incidents occurred, and when some photos held by the prosecution were taken.
The alleged victim reportedly told police she had photos sent to her in 1996 by Rolls of mutilated female genitalia. But O’Hara writes that tests done by the prosecution show that the earliest date the photo paper could have been created was 2004.
O’Hara said the woman repeated the allegation regarding the photo to police, and under oath during court hearings in Muskegon.
“What is remarkable about these lies is their elaborateness,” O’Hara writes. “The complainant stated repeatedly that the defendant gave her these female genital mutilation pictures when she was 12 years old and that the defendant made her carry them in her purse every day since 1996.”
O’Hara contends that this and other alleged falsehoods should result in many of her allegations being excluded.
The defense has admitted the married father of four had sex with the alleged victim, but that she was 16 or older when the sex occurred.
The defense claims the woman is seeking revenge on Rolls because he refused to leave his wife and take up with her.
“The prosecution knows that the defendant has a motive to lie because she had threatened to ruin the defendant’s life,” the defense document states.
O’Hara writes that the defense plans to introduce voicemails left by the alleged victim where she professed her love for Rolls and sought sexual relations with the defendant.
“These voicemails are completely inconsistent with claims of child abuse,” O’Hara writes.
O’Hara also states that his client has passed two polygraph tests regarding his denial of the allegations and the court is still awaiting results of another test, according to court records.
O’Hara is also asking Judge Dennis Leiber to deny the admission of any reference to the nature of the sexual acts between Rolls and the alleged victim and the mention of sexual acts other than the specifically charged offenses, saying that would prejudice the jury.
Leiber has yet to rule on the defense request, but he did shoot down several other defense demands.
The judge ruled that the defense will not have access to the journals and diaries of the alleged victim. Leiber also ruled that statements made by Rolls’ wife are admissible by the prosecution.
Rolls remains free on a $500,000 bond.
No change of venue in alleged child sex case
Grand Rapids Press
March 30, 2014
https://infoweb.newsbank.com/
The trial for the former Kent County commissioner accused of sexually abusing a child will stay in Grand Rapids after a judge denied a request to move the case because of pre-trial publicity.
Jeffery O'Hara, Gary Rolls' defense attorney, claimed the media coverage surrounding Rolls' arrest and resignation from the county board would make it impossible to pick a fair and impartial jury, and he suggested Newaygo County might be a better venue.
"Do they not have television, newspapers or the Internet in Newaygo County?" Kent County Circuit Court Judge Dennis Leiber asked O'Hara during a hearing Friday.
Rolls is accused of having sex with a Muskegon girl with whom he began a relationship in 1994 when she was 9 years old. The woman is now 29 years old. He is charged with four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, using a computer to commit a crime and tampering with evidence.
O'Hara and Rolls contend the alleged victim is lying about her sexual activity with Rolls to get revenge after he decided to stay with his wife after an affair when the alleged victim was at least 16 years old.
Rolls resigned Dec. 12.
O'Hara pointed to numerous articles and reports regarding his client and mentioning the accusations.
"Every time it is in the media, it poisons jurors," O'Hara said.
Chief Assistant Ionia County Prosecutor Lori Kirkhoff is handling the case for the local prosecutor to avoid the appearance of conflict.
Kirchoff said there are 614,462 people in Kent County's jury pool and not all of them have been exposed to or prejudiced by media coverage of the allegations.
In denying the change of venue, Leiber referred to the 2009 trial of then Kent County Commissioner James Vaughn, who was convicted on misdemeanor charges of assault and domestic violence. Leiber said a jury was seated in that case without a problem even though it was tried with a jury pool only from the city of Grand Rapids.
Leiber said when it comes time to pick a jury for the case scheduled to come to trial May 12, it can be determined then whether it is possible to find an impartial jury.
Rolls remains free on a $500,000 bond.
Rolls admits to sex with alleged victim but not before she was 16
Grand Rapids Press
February 15, 2014
https://infoweb.newsbank.com/
Gary Rolls admitted to having sex with the person who accused him of sexually abusing her beginning when she was in elementary school, but Rolls has claimed there was no sexual contact before the girl was 16.
Rolls' attorney, Jeffrey O'Hara, has filed a number of motions in Kent County Circuit Court that seek to have the trial moved to Newaygo County, to have Rolls' wife excluded from the investigation and demand the alleged victim produce her journal, which allegedly documents her sexual activity.
Rolls, a former Kent County commissioner, is accused of having sex with a Muskegon girl with whom he allegedly began a relationship in 1994, when she was 9. The woman now is 29.
Within the motions submitted to Judge Dennis Leiber, O'Hara wrote the alleged victim, referred to as "the complainant," is lying about her sexual activity with Rolls.
"(The) defendant and the complainant had an affair at a time when she was legally able to consent, there was no sexual activity of any sort before the complainant turned 16," O'Hara wrote.
"It is the defense's theory that the complainant is a troubled and maladjusted person who reacted to the defendant's decision to stay with his wife by making a false accusation, i.e., revenge."
As far as wanting to move the trial out of Kent County, O'Hara said the publicity regarding the allegations forced the "prominent local politician" to resign his position because "public servants, particularly politicians, are held to higher standards than other individuals."
Rolls was a Republican commissioner representing much of northeast Kent County until his resignation Dec. 12.
"These residents have almost certainly formed opinions about the defendant, and these opinions could well affect their ability to be fair jurors," O'Hara wrote. "The controversy surrounding the governor of New Jersey or the publicity surrounding a Republican congressman from Florida who was caught in a cocaine sting illustrates this issue."
Ionia County prosecutor
The prosecutor in the case is Chief Assistant Ionia County Prosecutor Lori Kirkhoff.
The Ionia County prosecutor's office is handling the case to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest.
Rolls is a married father of four. His wife and three other family members are listed as witnesses in court files.
O'Hara also filed a motion invoking "spousal privilege" to exclude statements made by his wife to investigators and to keep from being compelled to testify.
The motions are expected to come before Leiber on March 28 at which time the judge will rule as to whether the trial will be moved, or if any of the other motions will be granted.
The criminal trial is slated to begin May 12.
Rolls is free on a $500,000 bond.
Gary Rolls' defense admits sex with alleged assault victim, wants trial moved out of Kent County
MLive
Feb 14, 2014
https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2014/02/gary_rolls_defense_admits_sex.html
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Gary Rolls admits to having sex with the person who claims the former Kent County commissioner sexually abused her beginning when she was in elementary school, but Rolls claims there was no sexual contact before the girl was 16.
Rolls’ attorney, Jeffrey O’Hara, has filed a number of motions in Kent County Circuit Court that seek to have the trial moved to Newaygo County, seek to have Rolls' wife excluded from the investigation, and demands that the alleged victim produce her journal, which allegedly documents her sexual activity.
Rolls is accused of having sex with a Muskegon girl with whom he began a relationship in 1994 when she was 9. The woman is now 29.
Contained within the motions submitted to Judge Dennis Leiber, O’Hara writes that the alleged victim, referred to as “the complainant,” is lying about her sexual activity with Rolls.
“(The) defendant and the complainant had an affair at a time when she was legally able to consent, there was no sexual activity of any sort before the complainant turned 16,” O’Hara writes. “It is the defense’s theory that the complainant is a troubled and maladjusted person who reacted to the defendant’s decision to stay with his wife by making a false accusation, i.e., revenge.”
As far as wanting to move the trial out of Kent County, O’Hara says the publicity regarding the allegations forced the “prominent local politician” to resign his position because “public servants, particularly politicians, are held to higher standards than other individuals.”
Rolls was a Republican commissioner representing much of northeast Kent County until his resignation on Dec. 12.
“These residents have almost certainly formed opinions about the defendant and these opinions could well affect their ability to be fair jurors,” O’Hara wrote. “The controversy surrounding the governor of New Jersey or the publicity surrounding a Republican congressman from Florida who was caught in a cocaine sting illustrates this issue.”
“The defendant submits that it will be impossible for him to obtain a fair trial in Kent County,” O’Hara writes.
O'Hara does not say why he specifically picked Newaygo County as the preferred venue. The prosecutor in the case is Chief Assistant Ionia County Prosecutor Lori Kirkhoff.
The Ionia County Prosecutor’s Office is handling the case to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest.
In another separate motion, O'Hara says the Michigan State Police have photographs allegedly sent by Rolls to the alleged victim in 1996, when she was 12.
These photos allegedly depict mutilated female private parts intended as a warning of what would happen to the girl if she came forward with accusations against the defendant.
“It is the defense’s position that the complainant is lying,” O’Hara writes. “In order to establish that lie, the defense wishes to scientifically test the photographs to produce evidence that the photographs were created after 1996 (e.g. ink and paper testing for age) and to produce evidence that there is no scientific connection between the photographs and the defendant (e.g. lack of fingerprints or DNA).”
The motions also reference a claim by the alleged victim that Rolls took nude photos of her when she was 15 and those photos were kept in a safe.
The complainant also alleges that Rolls gave her and his wife identical rings when the alleged victim was 14. The defense claims the girl was 16 when he gave her the ring.
Rolls is a married father of four. His wife and three other members of the Rolls family are listed as witnesses in court files.
O’Hara has also filed a motion invoking “spousal privilege” to exclude statements made by his wife to investigators and to keep from being compelled to testify.
The motions are expected to come before Leiber on March 28 at which time the judge will rule as to whether the trial will be moved, or if any of the other motions will be granted.
The criminal trial is slated to begin on May 12.
Rolls is free on a $500,000 bond.
Former county commissioner rejects plea deal in sex case
Grand Rapids Press
January 9, 2014
https://infoweb.newsbank.com/
A former Kent County commissioner charged with criminal sexual conduct turned down a plea offer, sending his case to a jury.
Gary Rolls, 47, rejected a deal on the record in Kent County Circuit Court that would have had him pleading guilty to one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, illegal use of a computer and tampering with evidence.
In exchange for the plea, Chief Assistant Ionia County Prosecutor Lori Kirkhoff said three additional charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct would be dismissed.
The Ionia County prosecutor's office is handling the case to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest.
Through his attorney, Jeffrey O'Hara, Rolls rejected the plea offer Tuesday, meaning the case will be set for trial before Judge Dennis Leiber.
Rolls is accused of having sex with a minor from Muskegon with whom he began a relationship in 1994 when she was 9 years old. The alleged victim said Rolls paid for a Florida vacation and shoes, purses and jewelry to buy her silence, according to court records.
The allegations came to light last year when the now 28-year-old woman filled for a personal protection order in Muskegon County.
Rolls was the Republican commissioner representing much of Northeast Kent County living in Grattan Township until his resignation Dec. 12.
"I will use this time to prepare for trial to prove my absolute and complete innocence," Rolls wrote in his resignation letter.
The Grattan Township resident's Facebook page Gary Rolls for County Commissioner says Rolls was a senior account executive for an insurance agency.
The page also says Rolls participated with the church children's group AWANA and was involved in several anti-abortion organizations, including Right to Life, Alpha Women's Center, Baptists for Life, Crisis Pregnancy Center and Christian Counseling Center.
Rolls is a married father of four. His wife and three other members of the Rolls family are listed as witnesses in court files.
Rolls is free on a $500,000 bond, and no date has been set for trial at this time.
Ex-commissioner turns down plea deal in sex case
Muskegon Chronicle
January 9, 2014
https://infoweb.newsbank.com/
A former Kent County commissioner charged with criminal sexual conduct involving a Muskegon County girl turned down a plea offer, sending his case to a jury.
Gary Rolls, 47, rejected a deal on the record in Kent County Circuit Court that would have had him pleading guilty to one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, illegal use of a computer and tampering with evidence.
In exchange for the plea, Chief Assistant Ionia County Prosecutor Lori Kirkhoff said three additional charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct would be dismissed.
The Ionia County Prosecutor's Office is handling the case to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest.
Through his attorney, Jeffrey O'Hara, Rolls rejected the plea offer Tuesday, meaning the case will be set for trial before Judge Dennis Leiber.
Rolls is accused of having sex with a minor Muskegon resident with whom he began a relationship in 1994, when she was 9 years old.
The alleged victim said Rolls paid for a Florida vacation and shoes, purses and jewelry to buy her silence, according to court records.
The allegations came to light last year when the woman, now 28, filed for a personal protection order in Muskegon County.
Rolls was the Republican commissioner representing much of Northeast Kent County living until his resignation Dec. 12.
"I will use this time to prepare for trial to prove my absolute and complete innocence," Rolls wrote in his resignation letter.
The Grattan Township resident's Facebook page Gary Rolls for County Commissioner states Rolls was a senior account executive for an insurance agency.
The page also says Rolls participated with the church children's group AWANA and was involved in several anti-abortion organizations, including Right to Life, Alpha Women's Center, Baptists for Life, Crisis Pregnancy Center and Christian Counseling Center.
Rolls is a married father of four.
His wife and three other members of the Rolls family are listed as witnesses in court files.
Rolls is free on a $500,000 bond. No date has been set for trial.
Former Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls turns down plea deal in criminal sexual conduct case
MLive
Jan 08, 2014
https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2014/01/former_kent_county_commissione_1.html
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – A former Kent County commissioner charged with criminal sexual conduct turned down a plea offer, sending his case to a jury.
Gary Rolls, 47, rejected a deal on the record in Kent County Circuit Court that would have had him pleading guilty to one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, illegal use of a computer and tampering with evidence.
In exchange for the plea, Chief Assistant Ionia County Prosecutor Lori Kirkhoff said three additional charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct would be dismissed.
The Ionia County Prosecutor’s Office is handling the case to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest.
Through his attorney Jeffrey O’Hara, Rolls rejected the plea offer on Tuesday, Jan. 7, meaning the case will be set for trial before Judge Dennis Leiber.
Rolls is accused of having sex with a minor Muskegon resident with whom he began a relationship in 1994 when she was 9 years old. The alleged victim said Rolls paid for a Florida vacation and shoes, purses and jewelry to buy her silence, according to court records.
The allegations came to light last year when the now 28-year-old woman filled for a personal protection order in Muskegon County.
Rolls was the Republican commissioner representing much of Northeast Kent County living in Grattan Township until his resignation Dec. 12, 2013.
"I will use this time to prepare for trial to prove my absolute and complete innocence,” Rolls wrote in his resignation letter.
The Grattan Township resident's Facebook page Gary Rolls for County Commissioner states Rolls was a senior account executive for an insurance agency.
The page also says Rolls participated with the church children’s group AWANA and was involved in several anti-abortion organizations including Right to Life, Alpha Women's Center, Baptists for Life, Crisis Pregnancy Center and Christian Counseling Center.
Rolls is a married father of four. His wife and three other members of the Rolls family are listed as witnesses in court files.
Rolls is free on a $500,000 bond and no date has been set for trial at this time.
Kent County leaders react to resignation of embattled commissioner Gary Rolls
MLive
Posted Dec 12, 2013
https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2013/12/kent_county_leaders_react_to_r.html#incart_river_default
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Kent County commissioners say their unanimous acceptance of embattled Commissioner Gary Rolls' resignation from the body on which he has served for more than a decade speaks for itself.
Rolls, R-Grattan Township, resigned Thursday, Dec. 12, three weeks after being arrested outside a county board meeting on four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, using a computer to commit a crime and tampering with evidence.
After the allegations against Rolls arose last year, several commissioners had expressed hopes they would be proven false.
Support for Rolls has waned in recent weeks since the charges were filed. Several commissioners approached board Chairman Dan Koorndyk, R-Grand Rapids, expressing concerns about the charges damaging the Republican brand, Koorndyk said. Koorndyk said he's spoken with Rolls several times in the two weeks since Rolls' arrest, encouraging his colleague to resign.
"It's a distraction for the county being able to conduct its business," Koorndyk said. "We mutually decided it would be in his best interest to resign. He accepted it and I wish him the best.
"The impetus came from the party for obvious reasons," Koorndyk added. He declined to elaborate.
County Republican Party Chairman Chris Beckering disagreed with Koorndyk's assertion that the party pressured Rolls to resign. He said Rolls ultimately made the call himself.
“Gary made a decision and I think that was the responsible decision considering the circumstances,” Beckering said. “Gary is facing charges as you are well aware and given the circumstances he made the decision that he wouldn’t be able to put in the time to fulfill his duties as a commissioner.”
The charges stem from allegations by a 28-year-old Muskegon-area woman that Rolls, a former neighbor, began inappropriately touching her beginning when she was 9. The woman alleged the abuse continued for years.
Commissioner Dick VanderMolen, R-Kentwood, who served with Rolls on the county’s department of public works board, said he’d heard rumors in recent days that Rolls might resign. He declined to speculate what his colleagues think of the situation but noted the resignation was accepted on a 17-0 vote.
“We accepted it unanimously, which I guess sort of speaks for itself,” VanderMolen said.
“If he can’t fulfill his duties as a commissioner he should have resigned,” VanderMolen added. “I suppose he could have continued to come to meetings, but he didn’t so it was a good decision for his part and the county’s.”
Rolls missed a lengthy string of county board and committee meetings after the allegations first surfaced last year. He has since attended meetings regularly until his arrest last month.
Commissioner Jim Saalfeld, R-Grand Rapids Township, recalled Rolls’ absence from the county board’s Legislative and Human Resources Committee meetings, which he chairs.
"I've not talked to Gary and have had very limited conversations with the party but I can understand why they would think this is a good move as well," Saalfeld said. "The bottom line is, all the committees that Gary is working on would be affected."
Commissioner Jim Talen, D-Grand Rapids, recalled an incident in 2008 for which former County Commissioner James Vaughn, D-Grand Rapids, was convicted of misdemeanor assault and domestic violence against a woman with whom he had allegedly proposed a three-way sexual tryst.
"This is the second time in my recent tenure that this has happened and it's a black mark against Kent County," Talen said. "I'm surprised that there isn't a way to remove a commissioner for certain kinds of conduct, though I'm not sure where you would draw the line."
County board Chairman Koorndyk has 30 days from the Jan. 1, 2014 effective date of Roll's resignation to appoint a replacement to serve out the rest of his term, which runs through next year.
Grand Rapids Police Sgt. Matt Janiskee has said he plans to run in next summer’s Republican Primary for the county’s District 4 seat, which represents Cannon, Grattan, Oakfield and Vergennes townships.
Kent County leaders welcome Rolls' resignation
Muskegon Chronicle
December 13, 2013
https://infoweb.newsbank.com/
Kent County commissioners say their unanimous acceptance of embattled Commissioner Gary Rolls' resignation from the body on which he has served for more than a decade speaks for itself.
Rolls, R-Grattan Township, resigned Thursday, three weeks after being arrested outside a county board meeting on four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, using a computer to commit a crime and tampering with evidence.
After the allegations against Rolls arose last year, several commissioners had expressed hopes they would be proven false.
Support for Rolls has waned in recent weeks since the charges were filed. Several commissioners approached board Chairman Dan Koorndyk, R-Grand Rapids, expressing concerns about the charges damaging the Republican brand, Koorndyk said.
Since Rolls' arrest, Koorndyk said he has spoken with him several times encouraging his colleague to resign.
"It's a distraction for the county being able to conduct its business," Koorndyk said. "We mutually decided it would be in his best interest to resign. He accepted it, and I wish him the best.
"The impetus came from the party for obvious reasons," Koorndyk added. He declined to elaborate.
County Republican Party Chairman Chris Beckering disagreed with Koorndyk's assertion the party pressured Rolls to resign. He said Rolls ultimately made the call himself.
"Gary made a decision, and I think that was the responsible decision considering the circumstances," Beckering said. "Gary is facing charges as you are well aware, and given the circumstances, he made the decision that he wouldn't be able to put in the time to fulfill his duties as a commissioner."
The charges stem from allegations by a 28-year-old Muskegon-area woman that Rolls, a former neighbor, began inappropriately touching her beginning when she was 9. The woman alleged the abuse continued for years.
Rolls missed a lengthy string of county board and committee meetings after the allegations first surfaced last year.
He has since attended meetings regularly until his arrest last month.
Commissioner Dick VanderMolen, R-Kentwood, who served with Rolls on the county's department of public works board, said he'd heard rumors in recent days that Rolls might resign. He declined to speculate what his colleagues think of the situation but noted the resignation was accepted on a 17-0 vote.
"We accepted it unanimously, which I guess sort of speaks for itself," VanderMolen said.
"If he can't fulfill his duties as a commissioner he should have resigned," VanderMolen added. "I suppose he could have continued to come to meetings, but he didn't so it was a good decision for his part and the county's."
Gary Rolls resigns under pressure from GOP
MLive
Dec 12, 2013
https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2013/12/gary_rolls_resigns_under_press.html
KENT COUNTY, MI – County Commissioner Gary Rolls, R-Grattan Township, has resigned.
Kent County Commission Chairman Dan Koorndyk at a Thursday, Dec. 12, board meeting said he received a brief resignation letter from Rolls, effective Jan. 1. When asked if he had persuaded Rolls to resign, Koorndyk said the pressure came from the local GOP.
"I have resigned from the Board of Commissioners," Rolls wrote. "I thank citizens of Kent County and my constituents of the current and former 4th District for allowing me to serve you.
"I will use this time to prepare for trial to prove my absolute and complete innocence."
The board will have until the end of January to appoint a replacement for the final year of Rolls' term, which runs through 2014. Rolls represents the 4th District, which includes Lowell and Cannon, Grattan, Oakfield and Vergennes townships.
Rolls,47, was arrested last month outside a county board meeting and charged with four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, using a computer to commit a crime and tampering with evidence.
Allegations of the sexual misconduct came to light in 2012 – after Rolls won a Republican primary election – when a 28-year-old Muskegon-area woman claimed Rolls had sexually assaulted her for years, with sexual touching beginning at age 9.
Rolls, who posted a $500,000 bond, waived a court hearing last week.
To apply for the board's upcoming appointment, send a letter and resume to the Board of Commissioners Office, 300 Monroe Ave. NW, by Jan. 6.
Rolls was in Kent County District Court on Wednesday, Dec. 4, where he waived a probable cause hearing that would have required prosecutors to prove to a judge there is enough evidence to send the case to circuit court.
Rolls is a married father of four and the Republican commissioner representing much of northeast Kent County based in Grattan Township.
The victim, a Muskegon resident, said her relationship began in 1994 when she was 9 years old and included Rolls paying for a Florida vacation and purchases of shoes, purses and jewelry to buy her silence, according to court records.
The allegations came to light last year when the now 28-year-old woman filed for a personal protection order in Muskegon County.
Rolls is free on a $500,000 bond.
Kent County commissioner resigns after arrest
Grand Rapids Business Journal
December 12, 2013
https://infoweb.newsbank.com/
The Kent County Board of Commissioners unanimously accepted the resignation of a county commissioner on Thursday morning.
County Commissioner Gary Rolls’ resignation is effective on Jan. 1.
Rolls was arraigned in Kent County Circuit Court late last month on four counts of first degree felony criminal sexual conduct and two counts of evidence tampering and using a computer to commit a crime.
Rolls has been accused of molesting a Muskegon woman, beginning when she was nine years old until she turned 23.
The 47-year-old commissioner has served on the county board since 2003.
“I thank the citizens of Kent County and my constituents of the current and former 4th District for allowing me to serve you,” said Rolls in a statement. “I will use this time to prepare for trial to prove my absolute and complete innocence.”
Rolls was re-elected to the board in 2012 and represents the county’s 4th District, which includes the city of Lowell and Cannon, Grattan, Oakfield and Vergennes townships.
“We appreciate that he recognizes it is better for the Board of Commissioners to select a new member who can represent District 4 without distraction,” said Dan Koorndyk, board chair.
Board vacancy
State law allows the commission to name a replacement to fill Rolls’ term, which expires on Dec. 31, 2014.
The board has 30 days after the effective resignation date to name an individual.
Koorndyk said people interested in filling the term should send a letter and a resume to the Board of Commissioners, 300 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, Mich., 49503, by Jan. 6.
The county’s Executive Committee will review all applications and then make a recommendation to the full board on how to proceed.
Commissioners will make their decision before the end of January.
County official charged with assault is resigning
Associated Press State Wire
December 12, 2013
https://infoweb.newsbank.com/
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — A Kent County elected official charged with sexual assault says he's quitting on Jan. 1.
Gary Rolls has been a county commissioner in the Grand Rapids area for nearly 12 years. He was charged last month with first-degree criminal sexual conduct. The alleged victim is in her late 20s and lives in the Muskegon area. Authorities say the allegations go back many years.
In a statement Thursday, Rolls says he'll prove his "absolute and complete innocence" at trial.
The 47-year-old Rolls was arrested after a county board meeting on Nov. 21.
Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls Resigns
WOOD TV8
Dec 12, 2013
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBP9nzXAGZ4
Kent Co. Commissioner Rolls Jr. resigns
WOOD TV8
Dec 12, 2013
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWzEXd5JdZU
Kent County leaders react to resignation of embattled commissioner Gary Rolls
Muskegon Chronicle
December 12, 2013
https://infoweb.newsbank.com/
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Kent County commissioners say their unanimous acceptance of embattled Commissioner Gary Rolls’ resignation from the body on which he has served for more than a decade speaks for itself.
Rolls, R-Grattan Township, resigned Thursday, Dec. 12, three weeks after being arrested outside a county board meeting on four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, using a computer to commit a crime and tampering with evidence.
After the allegations against Rolls arose last year, several commissioners had expressed hopes they would be proven false.
Support for Rolls has waned in recent weeks since the charges were filed. Several commissioners approached board Chairman Dan Koorndyk, R-Grand Rapids, expressing concerns about the charges damaging the Republican brand, Koorndyk said. Koorndyk said he’s spoken with Rolls several times in the two weeks since Rolls’ arrest, encouraging his colleague to resign.
“It’s a distraction for the county being able to conduct its business,” Koorndyk said. “We mutually decided it would be in his best interest to resign. He accepted it and I wish him the best.
“The impetus came from the party for obvious reasons,” Koorndyk added. He declined to elaborate.
County Republican Party Chairman Chris Beckering disagreed with Koorndyk’s assertion that the party pressured Rolls to resign. He said Rolls ultimately made the call himself.
“Gary made a decision and I think that was the responsible decision considering the circumstances,” Beckering said. “Gary is facing charges as you are well aware and given the circumstances he made the decision that he wouldn’t be able to put in the time to fulfill his duties as a commissioner.”
The charges stem from allegations by a 28-year-old Muskegon-area woman that Rolls, a former neighbor, began inappropriately touching her beginning when she was 9. The woman alleged the abuse continued for years.
Commissioner Dick VanderMolen, R-Kentwood, who served with Rolls on the county’s department of public works board, said he’d heard rumors in recent days that Rolls might resign. He declined to speculate what his colleagues think of the situation but noted the resignation was accepted on a 17-0 vote.
“We accepted it unanimously, which I guess sort of speaks for itself,” VanderMolen said.
“If he can’t fulfill his duties as a commissioner he should have resigned,” VanderMolen added. “I suppose he could have continued to come to meetings, but he didn’t so it was a good decision for his part and the county’s.”
Rolls missed a lengthy string of county board and committee meetings after the allegations first surfaced last year. He has since attended meetings regularly until his arrest last month.
Commissioner Jim Saalfeld, R-Grand Rapids Township, recalled Rolls’ absence from the county board’s Legislative and Human Resources Committee meetings, which he chairs.
“I’ve not talked to Gary and have had very limited conversations with the party but I can understand why they would think this is a good move as well,” Saalfeld said. “The bottom line is, all the committees that Gary is working on would be affected.”
Commissioner Jim Talen, D-Grand Rapids, recalled an incident in 2008 for which former County Commissioner James Vaughn, D-Grand Rapids, was convicted of misdemeanor assault and domestic violence against a woman with whom he had allegedly proposed a three-way sexual tryst.
“This is the second time in my recent tenure that this has happened and it’s a black mark against Kent County,” Talen said. “I’m surprised that there isn’t a way to remove a commissioner for certain kinds of conduct, though I’m not sure where you would draw the line.”
County board Chairman Koorndyk has 30 days from the Jan. 1, 2014 effective date of Roll’s resignation to appoint a replacement to serve out the rest of his term, which runs through next year.
Grand Rapids Police Sgt. Matt Janiskee has said he plans to run in next summer’s Republican Primary for the county’s District 4 seat, which represents Cannon, Grattan, Oakfield and Vergennes townships.
RELATED:
• Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls waives court hearing on child sex charges
• Kent County leader vows to 'prove my innocence,' held on $500,000 bond in alleged sexual assaults
• Gary Rolls allegedly purchased secret Florida trip, motel visits with sex assault victim
• How Gary Rolls arrest went down: Kent County colleague calls it 'dignified'
Police sergeant eyes county commission seat
December 08, 2013
Grand Rapids Press
https://infoweb.newsbank.com/
Grand Rapids Police Sgt. Matt Janiskee plans to run for the Kent County Board of Commissioners seat held by embattled Republican Gary Rolls, who is facing multiple allegations of sex abuse against a former neighbor.
Janiskee, of Cannon Township, said he has long considered a run for the District 4 office.
Kent County Commissioner waives court hearing on child sex charges
Grand Rapids Press
December 6, 2013
https://infoweb.newsbank.com/
A Kent County commissioner might face life in prison, if convicted, after waiving a court hearing that resulted in his case heading to felony court.
Gary Rolls, 47, is facing four charges of first-degree criminal-sexual conduct stemming from allegations he had sexual relations with a girl starting when she was 9 and continuing until she was 17.
Rolls also is charged with computer crimes and tampering with evidence, both 10-year felonies.
Rolls was in Kent County District Court on Wednesday, where he waived a probable cause hearing that would have required prosecutors to prove to a judge there is enough evidence to send the case to circuit court. Instead, the case automatically moves to the higher court.
Rolls is a married father of four and the Republican commissioner representing much of northeast Kent County. He lives in Grattan Township.
The victim, a Muskegon resident, said their relationship began in 1994 when she was 9 years old and included Rolls paying for a Florida vacation and purchases of shoes, purses and jewelry to buy her silence, according to court records.
The allegations came to light last year when the woman, now 28, filed for a personal protection order.
Rolls is free on a $500,000 bond.
Kent County Commissioner Heading to Federal Court
WHTC Radio
Thursday, December 05, 2013
http://whtc.com/news/articles/2013/dec/05/kent-county-commissioner-heading-to-federal-court/
(WHTC) -- A Kent County Commissioner arrested in November and charged with four counts of first-degree criminal-sexual conduct waived a court hearing on Wednesday.
The case against 47-year-old Gary Rolls is now headed to federal court. A 28-year-old woman made allegations that Rolls had sexual relations with her beginning when she was nine years old and continued until she was 17.
He’s also charged with computer crimes and tampering with evidence. Both are 10 year felonies.
Rolls was in Kent County District Court on Wednesday where he waived a probable cause hearing. Rolls is currently free on a 500-thousand dollar bond.
Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls waives court hearing on child sex charges
MLive
December 05, 2013
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2013/12/kent_county_commissioner_facin.html
GRAND RAPIDS TOWNSHIP, MI – A Kent County Commissioner faces the potential of life in prison after waiving a court hearing that results in his case heading to felony court.
Gary Rolls, 47, is facing four charges of first-degree criminal-sexual conduct stemming from allegations he had sexual relations with a girl starting when she was 9 and continuing until she was 17.
Rolls is also charged with computer crimes and tampering with evidence, both 10-year felonies.
Rolls was in Kent County District Court on Wednesday, Dec. 4, where he waived a probable cause hearing that would have required prosecutors to prove to a judge there is enough evidence to send the case to circuit court.
Rolls is a married father of four and the Republican commissioner representing much of northeast Kent County based in Grattan Township.
The victim, a Muskegon resident, said her relationship began in 1994 when she was 9 years old and included Rolls paying for a Florida vacation and purchases of shoes, purses and jewelry to buy her silence, according to court records.
The allegations came to light last year when the now 28-year-old woman filed for a personal protection order in Muskegon County.
Rolls is free on a $500,000 bond.
Kent County commissioner leaves Lowell without representation
Lowell Ledger
December 4, 2013
https://infoweb.newsbank.com/
Gary Rolls, the Kent County commissioner accused of sexually molesting a Muskegon woman for years, has not been attending the commission's meetings. Rolls represents Lowell on the commission. He is also responsible for Cannon, Grattan, Oakfield and Vergennes townships. This body is responsible for the county's budget, taxes, selection of judges, as well as decisions about property and buildings owned by the county. With Rolls absent, Lowell does not have a voice in these meetings.
"In the short term, Mr. Rolls' absence from the county commission should not have much effect on the representation of the city of Lowell," said mayor Jim Hodges. Lowell city manager Mark Howe declined to comment, stating it was "a political issue."
"If there is a lengthy no-show period, more than perhaps six months, then perhaps adequate changes may need to take place," Hodges said. "He is entitled to his day in court."
Commissioner Charged With Sex Crimes Now Heading For A Possible Trial
FOX 17
December 04, 2013
http://fox17online.com/2013/12/04/commissioner-charged-with-sex-crimes-now-heading-for-a-possible-trial/#axzz2muRtVH77
Kent County, Mich. — Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls of Ada waived his preliminary hearing in court Wednesday, December, 4.
"Within the next 42 days, they`re going to set up your case downtown," Judge Sara J. Smolenski of 63rd District Court.
It was a quick court appearance for Rolls.
Since the hearing was waived, the case will head straight to the circuit court for possible trial without early testimony from witnesses.
He is charged with six counts including: first-degree criminal sexual conduct, evidence tampering and using a computer to commit a crime.
He’s accused of sexually assaulting a woman from the time she was 9 years old until the age of 23.
Michigan State Police also allege that Rolls remotely deleted evidence that may have been contained on his I-Pad as the investigation was ongoing.
Some of the testimony that may come out at trial may include some accusations already discussed during a protection order hearing for the alleged victim.
She testified that Rolls had used threats involving a concealed weapons permit gun to convince her not to tell others about the relationship.
She stated to the courts that Rolls had told her, "If you tell anyone I will take care of you and no one would ever know who did it."
Detective Denise Bentley previously testified that when they searched Rolls’ home, they discovered a number of weapons registered to him, including 19 handguns.
Judge Smolenski reminded Rolls that he was not permitted to have contact with the alleged victim while he is out on bond.
She also clarified that he would be allowed to continue to use his I-Phone for work purposes.
Part of his bond restrictions prohibit him from using computers except when it comes to his job.
Rolls will remain out on bond as the case is now heading to circuit court.
He told a judge during arraignment he would be working to prove his innocence.
Gary Rolls waives hearing on six felony charges
WZZM News
Dec 4, 2013
http://www.wzzm13.com/news/article/274794/48/Commissioners-CSC-case-moves-to-circuit-court
GRAND RAPIDS TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WZZM) -- Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls has been ordered to stand trial for sexually assaulting a former neighbor in Rockford over several years.
Questions over Rolls' commission duties
Kent Co. Commissioners concerned about absences
WOOD TV News
November 26, 2013
http://www.woodtv.com/news/local/kent-county/questions-over-rolls-commission-duties
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - The Kent County Board of Commission's Legislative and Human Resources Committee went on with business one member short Tuesday morning.
Gary Rolls was a no-show.
After missing several meetings late last year after accusations that he had molested a family friend since she was 9 years old went public, Rolls' attendance at County Board meetings had improved.
Before Tuesday, he had missed two meetings. The average commissioner has missed three, according to Board Chairman Dan Koorndyk.
But what if the absences become a pattern?
No one on the county board who spoke to 24 Hour News 8 is directly calling for Rolls' resignation.
"I would say though that any commissioner that has a problem that is going to keep them from attending meetings should think strongly about whether or not they should continue on or whether it's time to resign," District 11 Commissioner Jim Saalfeld said following Tuesday's meeting.
But Oakfield Township Supervisor Greg Dean isn't pulling any punches when it comes to Rolls.
"It is time for him to resign so that we can get somebody in there as our county commissioners that can do the job," Dean said.
The 19-member Kent County Board of Commissioners makes decisions vital to Dean's township. Dean said residents need dependable representation.
"So that we've got a say at what goes on in county government as far as spending our tax dollars," he said. "Last week I had a couple of questions I needed answered, called Gary, he didn't return my call."
There are murmurs that a letter asking for Roll's resignation has been in the works since news of the accusations first broke last fall.
Tuesday, 24 Hour News 8 confirmed supervisors in Oakfield, Vergenes, Grattan and Cannon townships and the City of Lowell -- all part of Rolls' district -- are considering a letter. It would not take the direct approach Dean is suggesting, but would ask Rolls to consider his ability to represent the thousands of people in his district.
"If that means resigning, it mean resigning. If that means not running again, it means not running again," said Cannon Township Supervisor Steve Grimm.
Backers say it is not a judgment on his innocence or guilt.
"We just are concerned that the focus will not be on representation it should be at the county level," Grimm said.
If Rolls' doesn't resign, there's nothing the county board can do. They have no power to remove a sitting member. The voters could remove Roll by way of recall, but that's expensive.
"Gary Rolls should realize that, and not want people to waste the taxpayers dollars," Dean said. "That's why I think resignation is the best way to go."
Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls out of jail on multiple sex charges
MLive
November 25, 2013
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2013/11/post_462.html
Rolls, 47, is facing four charges of first-degree criminal-sexual conduct, potential life offenses if he's convicted. Three of the charges involve sex assaults of a child. Another allegedly occurred when the victim was 17.
He’s also accused of using a computer to solicit another to tamper with evidence, and tampering with evidence, both 10-year felonies.
Rolls is a Grattan Township Republican. Police say in court records he had a long relationship with the victim that began in 1994 when she was 9 or 10. She came forward last year at the age of 28. She and Rolls were once neighbors.
He allegedly paid for a Florida vacation and jewelry, shoes and purses to keep her quiet.
She lives in Muskegon. She came forward last year by filing a personal-protection order against him.
Rolls is a married father of four.
Kent Co. Commissioner Out of Jail After being Arrested For CSC
FOX 17 News
November 24, 2013
http://fox17online.com/2013/11/24/kent-co-commissioner-out-of-jail-after-being-arrested-for-csc/#axzz2ltl4z89G
KENT COUNTY, Mich- A Kent County commissioner is out of jail Sunday after being arrested on Thursday after a commissioners meeting.
According to Kent County Jail records, Gary Rolls bonded out of the Kent County Jail on Saturday. Rolls faces charges that include criminal sexual conduct, evidence tampering and using a computer to commit a crime. He was arrested Thursday morning when he left the commission chambers towards the end of a meeting.
Allegations first surfaced in late October of 2012 when the woman, then in her late 20′s, tried to get a protection order against Rolls.
Then in late 2012 and early 2013, Rolls was in court fighting that protection order from his alleged victim, who claimed that he had been sexually assaulting her and controlling her since she was around 9 years old until she was 23.
Court documents indicate that many of the official charges stem from when she was between 12 and 16 years old.
Rolls is scheduled back in court for a hearing on December, 4.
Kent County leader held on $500,000 bond for alleged sexual assaults
Grand Rapids Press
November 23, 2013
https://infoweb.newsbank.com/
Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls was ordered jailed Friday on $500,000 bond on sexual abuse charges that date to 1994.
Rolls appeared stunned by the high bond.
He stammered briefly.
"I would respectfully plead with the court to bond ... something that I could potentially manage so I could effectively work with my attorney to prove my innocence," he told Grand Rapids Township District Judge Sara Smolenski.
He asked Smolenski to allow him to pay a percentage of his bond for release. She refused.
Rolls, in a green jail smock, was arraigned via video link to the Kent County Correctional Facility where he has been since his arrest Thursday after a Kent County Board of Commissioners' meeting.
His attorney, Jeffrey O'Hara, said after the hearing: "My client maintains his complete and absolute innocence."
He didn't want to comment further, but acknowledged, "It's an awful high bond."
Smolenski said she set bond based on the seriousness of the allegations.
Rolls, 47, is facing four charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, life offenses, and using a computer to solicit another to tamper with evidence, and tampering with evidence, both 10-year felonies.
Ionia County Prosecutor Ronald Schafer, who is handling the case because of Rolls' position as a county leader, authorized the charges.
Rolls, a Grattan Township Republican, is accused of having a long-running sexual relationship that began in 1994 when the alleged victim was 9 or 10.
The alleged victim was 28 when she came forward with the allegations in 2012. Rolls is a former neighbor.
She told police that Rolls sexually assaulted her until she was 23. He allegedly took her on a secret vacation to Florida and bought her jewelry, shoes and purses to keep her quiet. He allegedly obtained a credit card in both of their names to pay for motel rooms.
The alleged victim, who lives in Muskegon, came forward after Rolls won the Republican primary last year. She also filed a personal-protection order against him.
The alleged abuse involved sexual touching and other acts, but Rolls forced her to have sexual intercourse when she was 17, the alleged victim told police. She said Rolls also took nude photos and videos, police said in court records.
Police used a search warrant at Rolls' home in October 2012 and took his iPad, which automatically began deleting memory when examiners tried to look at its contents.
Commissioner faces four counts of criminal sexual conduct
Muskegon Chronicle
November 23, 2013
https://infoweb.newsbank.com/
Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls allegedly held a separate credit account with the woman he is accused of sexually assaulting for 13 years so he could purchase a secret trip to Florida for two of them, motel rooms and gifts, according to court documents.
Rolls, 47, was arrested Thursday after a board meeting at the county offices in Grand Rapids. He is in jail and was expected to be arraigned Friday in Kent County District Court on four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, using a computer to commit a crime and tampering with evidence.
The charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison if the Grattan Township Republican is convicted. Ionia County Prosecutor Ronald Schafer is handling the case for the state and announced the filing of the charges Thursday.
The victim, who was 28 when she came forward to authorities in 2012, told police Rolls is her former neighbor. The Muskegon-area woman alleged Rolls sexually assaulted her beginning when she was 9 or 10 years old, and the misconduct continued until she was 23, court documents state.
The victim said Rolls took her on a trip to Florida in February 2004 without his wife's knowledge.
Rolls obtained a credit card with the victim between 2000 and 2004, using it to pay for hotel and motel rooms they used during the alleged assaults, according to a search warrant documents. He purchased jewelry, shoes and purses for the victim to discourage her from revealing the sexual abuse, documents state.
Rolls' term runs through 2014. He will remain in office through the end of his term unless he resigns or gets recalled, county election officials said.
Kent County leader vows to 'prove my innocence,' held on $500,000 bond in alleged sexual assaults
MLive
Nov 22, 2013
https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2013/11/kent_county_leader_vows_to_pro.html
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls was ordered jailed Friday, Nov. 22, on $500,000 bond for sexual abuse charges that date to 1994.
Rolls appeared stunned by the high bond. He stammered briefly.
“I would respectfully plead with the court to bond … something that I could potentially manage so I could effectively work with my attorney to prove my innocence,” he told Grand Rapids Township District Judge Sara Smolenski.
He asked Smolenski to allow him to pay a percentage of his bond for release. She refused.
Rolls, in a green jail smock, was arraigned via video link to the Kent County Correctional Facility where he has been since his arrest Thursday after a Kent County Board of Commissioners’ meeting.
His attorney, Jeffrey O’Hara, said after the hearing: “My client maintains his complete and absolute innocence.”
He didn’t want to comment further, but acknowledged, “It’s an awful high bond.”
Smolenski said she set bond based on the seriousness of the allegations.
Rolls, 47, is facing four charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, potential life offenses if he's convicted, and using a computer to solicit another to tamper with evidence, and tampering with evidence, both 10-year felonies.
Ionia County Prosecutor Ronald Schafer, who is handling the case because of Rolls’ position as a county leader, authorized the charges.
Rolls, a Grattan Township Republican, is accused of having a long-running sexual relationship that began in 1994 when the alleged victim was 9 or 10.
The alleged victim was 28 when she came forward with the allegations in 2012. Rolls is a former neighbor.
She told police that Rolls sexually assaulted her until she was 23. He allegedly took her on a secret vacation to Florida, and bought her jewelry, shoes and purses to keep her quiet. He allegedly obtained a credit card in both of their names to pay for motel rooms.
The alleged victim, who lives in Muskegon, came forward while Rolls was campaiging for re-election in the Republican primary last year. She filed a personal-protection order against him.
The alleged abuse involved sexual touching and other acts, but Rolls forced her to have sexual intercourse when she was 17, the alleged victim told police. She said Rolls also took nude photos and videos, police said in court records.
Police used a search warrant at Rolls’ home in October 2012 and took his iPad, which automatically began deleting memory when examiners tried to look at its contents.
Rolls lives with his wife and three of their children. A fourth is away at college, court records show.
Gary Rolls video arraignment on sex charges
MLive
November 22, 2013
https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2014/01/former_kent_county_commissione_1.html
Commissioner Accused Of CSC, Denied Request For Lower Bond
FOX 17 News
November 22, 2013
http://fox17online.com/2013/11/22/commissioner-accused-of-cscdenied-request-for-lower-bond/#axzz2ltl4z89G
Kent County, Mich. — Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls was arraigned in Kent County Court on four counts of first degree felony criminal sexual conduct and two counts of evidence tampering and using a computer to commit a crime.
Rolls is accused of molesting a Muskegon woman since she was nine years old until the age of 23.
Her attorney said Rolls controlled her through a relationship that included a mixture of threats, gifts and manipulations.
Court documents state she received a protection order against Rolls on September, 26, 2012.
That protection order hearing launched a criminal investigation into Rolls involving the Michigan State Police.
Rolls and his attorney didn’t appear happy with the bond they received in Kent County Court.
The commissioner asked that the judge lower it so that he could get out to create a better defense.
"Your honor. Is it possible to do a percent bond? A bond, something that I could potentially manage so I could work with my attorney to prove my innocence. If I’m incarcerated, I won’t be able to work with him," said Rolls.
Judge Sara Smolenski said, "The court’s decision is to treat you like anybody else who goes through the court process and that is a cash surety bond of that nature."
Rolls is also accused of using a remote command from a different computer to erase evidence from his I-Pad after Michigan State Police began investigating.
Court documents reveal that the evidence they were looking for on the computer that was allegedly erased was pictures of the victim.
Detectives stated, "Gary Rolls started taking nude pictures of her and pictures of her with digital cameras, video cameras, and his cell phone."
"The victim said Rolls kept the photos and videos in a safe in his house and on his computers," they said.
Other physical evidence that we discovered police were searching for to build the case, jewelry.
Investigators stated, "Rolls gave her several gifts of jewelry from Waterfall Jewelers, which was owned by his cousin Mark Ettinger."
"One of these gifts was a ring with a gold band and a blue stone, which was similar or identical to a ring Rolls had purchased for his wife during the same time frame," said detectives.
Although Rolls doesn’t have a record, the judge cited the serious nature of the charges when she gave him the $500,000 bond.
Rolls’ attorney said his client maintains his innocence and said he felt that the bond was high, but failed to respond to the question of whether he wants to lower it at the preliminary hearing.
"It’s an awfully high bond. But, I think the judge made her decision based on the case," Jeffrey O’Hara, defense attorney.
The County Administrator said Rolls’ term on the Kent County Commission runs through December of 2014.
Commissioners cannot vote to remove him from his seat.
If the public wanted to remove him from office, they would have to initiate some sort of recall or Rolls would have to resign.
He will be scheduled back in court for a hearing on December, 4.
Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls arrested for sex crimes against minor
The Examiner
November 22, 2013
http://www.examiner.com/article/kent-county-commissioner-gary-rolls-arrested-for-sex-crimes-against-minor
Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls was arrested on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013 on four charges of first degree criminal sexual conduct, one charge of using a computer to commit a crime, and one charge of tampering with evidence. Rolls was arrested after a board meeting and is expected to be arraigned on Friday, Nov. 22, 2013 in Kent County District Court.
Allegations of the alleged sexual misconduct were made in 2012, when a woman, who was 28 at that time, came forward accusing Rolls of sexually assaulting her from the age of 9 to 23. The victim made the allegations after Rolls won a Republican primary election.
According to reports, Rolls had set up a credit card account with the victim, which was used to rent motel rooms and buy her gifts. The credit card was also used to purchase a trip to Florida in 2004, in which Rolls took the victim on this trip. The credit card was active between 2000 and 2004. Rolls used the purchases to help silence the victim about the abuse.
A copy of the victim's credit report shows Rolls' address associated with hers. The victim alleges that Rolls asked her for help with his credit problems, which is why he wanted the credit card.
The victim alleges that the initial sexual abuse involved sexual touching and other acts until she turned 17, at which point Rolls wanted to perform sexual intercourse. Rolls also took nude photos and videos of the victim with cameras and a cell phone.
During a search warrant execution, investigators confiscated an ipad, which began self-deleting when examiners tried to access the content. According to a probably cause affidavit, Rolls' wife admits to installing a remote command to cause the device to self-delete.
The Ionia County Prosecutor's Office is handling the case because of conflict of interest with Kent County.
Kent Commissioner arraigned on four rape charges
WZZM News
November 22, 2013
http://adacascade.wzzm13.com/news/news/186173-kent-commissioner-arraigned-four-rape-charges
GRAND RAPIDS TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WZZM) -- Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls was formally charged Friday with six felonies, four of them criminal sexual conduct in the first degree, which is punishable by up to life in prison. Rolls is also charged with using a computer to commit a crime and destroying evidence.
Appearing via video from the Kent County Jail, Rolls heard Judge Sara Smolenski read the charges as his lawyer, Jeff O'Hara, listened in her 63rd District Courtroom. In the four CSC charges, the judge said Rolls is accused of coercing the "victim by exerting his authoritative position."
Judge Smolenski set bond at $500,000. Rolls said that the high bond would keep him in jail and prevent him from, "working with my attorney to prove my innocence." Rolls' attorney said his client is innocent of the charges.
The charges, the judge said, involve digital sexual penetration with a girl under 13 sometime between 1994 and 1997; digital sexual penetration with a girl between the ages of 13 and 16 between 1997 and 2000; and cunnilingus and fellatio with the same girl during the same time period.
The alleged victim, now 29, moved to Rolls' Rockford neighborhood when she was 8. She has said the assaults started soon after.
Rolls, a republican, has served on the Kent County Board of Commissioners since 2002, representing a northeast portion of the County. County officials have said the only way he can be removed from office is for Rolls to resign, or be voted out.
$500,000 cash bond set for Commissioner
Kent Co Commissioner Gary Rolls charged Friday
WOOD TV8 News
November 22, 2013
http://www.woodtv.com/web/woodtv/news/local/kent-county/500000-cash-bond-set-for-commissioner
GRAND RAPIDS TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - A Kent County Commissioner, charged with sexually assaulting an underage girl, had his bond set at $500,000 Friday.
Judge Sara Smolenski set Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls' bond Friday. This means that if he wants to stay out of jail until the case goes to trial, Rolls will have to come up with $500,000 in cash.
Rolls told the judge he's worried about his ability to work with his attorney if he's locked up.
"Your honor, would it be possible to do a percent bond? Would it be possible?" Rolls asked. "Something that I could potentially manage, so that I could work with my attorney to prove my innocence."
The charges Rolls faces include four counts of Criminal Sexual conduct; each carrying up to life in prison on a conviction. This is serious enough to warrant the high bond, according to District Court Judge Sara Smolenski.
The charges stem from accusation by a woman, now in her 20s and once a friends of Roll's children, saying he began molesting her when she was nine.
Allegations outlined in Personal Protection Order Requests by the victim says the abuse continued until she was sixteen, followed by harassing visits and other contact by Rolls.
Other court documents reveal the victim told investigators that he opened credit cards in their names. They took a trip to Florida together and Rolls gave the victim jewelry and other gifts to keep her quiet.
The alleged Sexual Assaults occurring between 1994 and 2000. In 2001, legislators changed the law and eliminated the Statue of Limitation for First Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct.
County documents later revealed Dawn Rolls, who is Gary Rolls, Jr.'s wife, told investigators that her husband admitted he set up an erasure program on his iPad as state police investigated the accusations.
Rolls is being held at the Ottawa County Jail because of his ties to Kent County.
Rolls' attorney, Jeffrey O'Hara, told 24 Hour News 8 "It is a high bond but the judge made her decision based on the case. Rolls maintains his complete and absolute innocence."
Depending on how long Rolls stays in jail, it could become a case that might result in an empty seat in the Kent County Board Room.
If Rolls is able to come up with the money for bond, he could attend meetings; although some might question his political effectiveness with several felonies hanging over his head.
There is nothing in the law that would allow county commissioners to fire Rolls even if he is convicted. It appears the governor could remove him from office if that happens.
Rolls is scheduled to be back in court in early December for a preliminary hearing.
Kent County leader vows to 'prove my innocence,' held on $500,000 bond in alleged sexual assaults
MLive
November 22, 2013
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2013/11/kent_county_leader_vows_to_pro.html
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls was ordered jailed Friday, Nov. 22, on $500,000 bond for sexual abuse charges that date to 1994.
Rolls appeared stunned by the high bond. He stammered briefly.
"I would respectfully plead with the court to bond … something that I could potentially manage so I could effectively work with my attorney to prove my innocence," he told Grand Rapids Township District Judge Sara Smolenski.
He asked Smolenski to allow him to pay a percentage of his bond for release. She refused.
Rolls, in a green jail smock, was arraigned via video link to the Kent County Correctional Facility where he has been since his arrest Thursday after a Kent County Board of Commissioners’ meeting.
His attorney, Jeffrey O’Hara, said after the hearing: "My client maintains his complete and absolute innocence."
He didn’t want to comment further, but acknowledged, "It’s an awful high bond."
Smolenski said she set bond based on the seriousness of the allegations.
Rolls, 47, is facing four charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, potential life offenses if he's convicted, and using a computer to solicit another to tamper with evidence, and tampering with evidence, both 10-year felonies.
Ionia County Prosecutor Ronald Schafer, who is handling the case because of Rolls’ position as a county leader, authorized the charges.
Rolls, a Grattan Township Republican, is accused of having a long-running sexual relationship that began in 1994 when the alleged victim was 9 or 10.
The alleged victim was 28 when she came forward with the allegations in 2012. Rolls is a former neighbor.
She told police that Rolls sexually assaulted her until she was 23. He allegedly took her on a secret vacation to Florida, and bought her jewelry, shoes and purses to keep her quiet. He allegedly obtained a credit card in both of their names to pay for motel rooms.
The alleged victim, who lives in Muskegon, came forward while Rolls was campaiging for re-election in the Republican primary last year. She filed a personal-protection order against him.
The alleged abuse involved sexual touching and other acts, but Rolls forced her to have sexual intercourse when she was 17, the alleged victim told police. She said Rolls also took nude photos and videos, police said in court records.
Police used a search warrant at Rolls’ home in October 2012 and took his iPad, which automatically began deleting memory when examiners tried to look at its contents.
Rolls lives with his wife and three of their children. A fourth is away at college, court records show.
Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls faces sexual assault charges
Detroit Free Press
November 22, 2013
http://www.freep.com/article/20131122/NEWS06/311220080/
GRAND RAPIDS — Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls, 47, was arrested Thursday morning on multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct.
Rolls faces four counts of CSC in the first degree, one count of using a computer to commit a crime, and one count of tampering with evidence.
The Ionia County Prosecutor is handling the case to remove any conflicts of interest between the Kent County Prosecutor and the Kent County Commission. The Ionia County Prosecutor was appointed by the Attorney General's office to the case.
Rolls was booked at the Kent County Jail just before noon Thursday.
The alleged victim took out a personal protection order against Rolls in September 2012. It expired this past September after she did not extend it.
Court records show the victim claimed abuse started at age 12 and continued until she was an adult. She says sex acts with Rolls occurred at his house, while on vacation in hotel rooms, in a public rest room and on Mackinac Island.
The victim also says Rolls was often controlling in what she would wear and pressured her not to wear bras or underwear.
A Michigan State police detective obtained a search warrant for Rolls’ home and his iPad after Rolls' wife, Dawn, reported that "Gary told her he had set up the remote erase of his iPad,'' according to court documents.
Rolls also obtained a credit card in both their names between 2000 and 2004 to pay for hotel rooms and used his credit card to buy gifts for the victim. "Many of these gifts of jewelry were enticements to prevent her from revealing the sexual abuse,'' the detective wrote in the search warrant affidavit. "Rolls took the victim on a trip to Florida in February 2004 without his wife's knowledge and paid for the airplane tickets with a credit card.''
The woman told investigators Rolls started taking nude photos of her about the time she turned 15. Images were taken using a video camera, digital camera and his cell phone. Rolls kept photos in a safe in his house and on his computer, the woman told state police investigators.
Dan Koorndyk, chairman of the County Board, told WZZM 13 on Thursday: "They're serious charges and we're watching just like anyone else to see what happens... this doesn't remove him from office, the only thing that does is if he would resign, or lose an election."
Gary Rolls faces 1st degree CSC charges
WZZM News
Nov 22, 2013
http://www.wzzm13.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=274074
GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) -- Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls, 47, was arrested Thursday morning on multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct.
Rolls faces four counts of CSC in the 1st degree, one count of using a computer to commit a crime, and one count of tampering with evidence.
The Ionia County Prosecutor is handling the case to remove any conflicts of interest between the Kent County Prosecutor and the Kent County Commission. The Ionia County Prosecutor was appointed by the Attorney General's office to the case.
Rolls was booked at the Kent County Jail just before noon Thursday.
The alleged victim took out a personal protection order against Rolls in September 2012. It expired this past September after she did not extend it.
Court records show the victim claimed abuse started at age 12 and continued until she was an adult. She claims sex acts with Rolls occurred at his house, while on vacation in hotel rooms, in a public restroom, and on Mackinac Island.
The victim also claims Gary was often controlling in what she would wear and pressured her not to wear bras or underwear.
A Michigan State police detective obtained a search warrant for Rolls home and his iPad after Rolls' wife, Dawn, reported that "Gary told her he had set up the remote erase of his iPad,'' according to court documents.
Rolls also obtained a credit card in both their names between 2000 and 2004 in order to pay for hotel rooms and used his credit card to buy gifts for the victim. "Many of these gifts of jewelry were enticements to prevent her from revealing the sexual abuse,'' the detective wrote in the search warrant affidavit. "Rolls took the victim on a trip to Florida in February, 2004 without his wife's knowledge and paid for the airplane tickets with a credit card.''
The woman told investigators Rolls started taking nude photos of her about the time she turned 15 years old. Images were taken using a video camera, digital camera and his cell phone. Rolls kept photos in a safe in his house and on his computer, the woman told state police investigators.
Dan Koorndyk, chairman of the County Board, told WZZM 13 Thursday:"They're serious charges and we're watching just like anyone else to see what happens... this doesn't remove him from office, the only thing that does is if he would resign, or lose an election."
Kent Co. Commissioner Taken from Meeting in Handcuffs
FOX 17 News
November 21, 2013
http://fox17online.com/2013/11/26/commissioner-taken-from-meeting-in-handcuffs/#axzz2ltl4z89G
KENT COUNTY, Mich. — New video was released Tuesday of Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls being taken from a meeting in handcuffs.
Rolls faces charges that include criminal sexual conduct, evidence tampering and using a computer to commit a crime. He was arrested Thursday morning when he left the commission chambers towards the end of a meeting.
Allegations first surfaced in late October of 2012 when the woman, then in her late 20s, tried to get a protection order against Rolls.
Then in late 2012 and early 2013, Rolls was in court fighting that protection order from his alleged victim, who claimed that he had been sexually assaulting her and controlling her since she was around 9 years old until she was 23.
Charges Authorized Against Kent County Commissioner
FOX 17 News
November 21, 2013
http://fox17online.com/2013/11/21/kent-county-commissioner-jailed-on-criminal-sexual-conduct-charges/#axzz2ltl4z89G
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – A warrant has been authorized against Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls for criminal sexual conduct charges.
A source told FOX 17 News Thursday morning that Rolls will be formally charged with first degree criminal sexual conduct. He is suspected of sexually assaulting a woman when she was a child.
As of 11:00am Thursday morning, he was being processed in the Kent County Jail. FOX 17 spoke with Ionia County Prosecutor Ronald Schafer. He said he was asked to come to Kent County as special counsel because there was a conflict of interest with the Kent County prosecutor’s office.
Since the investigation, which came to light in September of 2012, Rolls had been known to miss a meeting, or several. His attendance history has been pretty spotty the past seven months.
FOX 17 discovered he’d missed six meetings dating back to last September 27th through January 3rd of 2013. It was back in September 2012 when a 28-year-old woman requested a protection order against Rolls for abuse she claims began when she was 12 years old.
In a previous interview, Kent County commissioner Jim Saalfeld told FOX 17 he believed Rolls’ absences might have been due to his legal issues.
"I think the citizens have the right to understand what that means and I think they also have the right to expect their elected commissioner to be at a meeting," said Saalfeld.
At Thursday’s Kent County Commissioners meeting, Rolls was there, but he showed up late after roll call. He actively listened to discussions from fellow commissioners, but remained quiet, not saying a word. And, as soon as the meeting wrapped up, he split, without a chance for FOX 17 to speak to him.
The Kent County Board of Commissioners office confirmed Rolls has been at every meeting, including the sub committee he sits on, which is the Legislative & Human Resources board, since our investigation, except for that January 3rd session.
Michigan State Police is continuing their investigation into the sexual assault.
Gary Rolls allegedly purchased secret Florida trip, motel visits with sex assault victim
MLive
November 21, 2013
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2013/11/gary_rolls_allegedly_purchased.html
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls allegedly held a separate credit account with the woman he is accused of sexually assaulting for 13 years so he could purchase a secret trip to Florida for two of them, motel rooms and gifts, according to court documents.
Rolls, 47, was arrested Thursday, Nov. 21, after a board meeting at the county offices in Grand Rapids. He is in jail and is expected to be arraigned Friday in Kent County District Court on four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, using a computer to commit a crime and tampering with evidence.
The charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison if the Grattan Township Republican is convicted. Ionia County Prosecutor Ronald Schafer is handling the case for the state and announced the filing of the charges on Thursday.
The victim, who was 28 when she came forward to authorities in 2012, told police Rolls is her former neighbor. The Muskegon area woman alleged Rolls sexually assaulted her beginning when she was nine or 10 years old, and the misconduct continued until she was 23, court documents state.
The victim said Rolls took her on a trip to Florida in February 2004 without his wife's knowledge.
Rolls obtained a credit card with the victim between 2000 and 2004, using it to pay for hotel and motel rooms they used during the alleged assaults, according to a search warrant documents. He purchased jewelry, shoes and purses for the victim to prevent her from revealing the sexual abuse, documents state.
A copy of the victim's credit report indicated that hers and Rolls' addresses were associated. Rolls allegedly told the victim he needed her assistance with the credit card to help with his own credit problems, according to court documents.
The victim came forward to authorities soon after Rolls won a Republican primary election in 2012. She filed a personal protection order against him.
The woman told police that the abuse consisted of sexual touching and other acts until she was 17, when Rolls forced her to include intercourse to their interactions, documents state.
Rolls allegedly took nude photos and videos of the victim using digital and video cameras and a cell phone.
Police executed a search warrant on Rolls' home in October 2012 and confiscated his iPad, which began automatically deleting its memory when examiners tried to access its content, search warrant documents state. Police believe the device was given a remote command to scrub its memory.
Rolls' wife told police that he told her he set up the remote command to erase the iPad, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Rolls' term runs through 2014. He will remain in office through the end of his term unless he resigns or gets recalled, county election officials said.
Kent County commissioner in jail awaiting arraignment on criminal sexual conduct charges
MLive
November 21, 2013
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2013/11/kent_county_commissioner_in_ja.html
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Gary Lynn Rolls sits in the jail he was elected to help oversee as a member of the Kent County Board of Commissioners.
Rolls, 47, awaits arraignment on Friday, Nov. 22, in Kent County District Court on four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, using a computer to commit a crime and tampering with evidence.
Rolls was arrested by state police Thursday morning at the Kent County Building in downtown Grand Rapids where he was attending a meeting.
Ionia County Prosecutor Ronald Schafer, handling the case for the state, on Thursday announced the filing of the charges that carry a maximum penalty of life in prison if the Grattan Township Republican is convicted.
A 28-year-old Muskegon County woman alleges Rolls began molesting her when she was 9 years old and began having sex with her at the age of 13.
The detailed allegations came to light a week after Rolls won an August 2012 primary election and later won re-election to his board seat that November. The alleged victim made accusations of prolonged sexual assaults during a Muskegon County Circuit Court hearing regarding a personal protection order the woman had taken out against Rolls.
The woman’s allegations led police to seek a felony arrest warrant against Rolls and also a warrant to search his house.
Police searched Rolls’ home and business and allegedly seized computers, an iPad, disks, papers and other items.
Rolls has also been charged with tampering with evidence in alleged attempt to destroy some items sought by law enforcement. Police allege that a remote command was given to Rolls’ iPad to erase information after it was seized by police.
The woman says the abuse continued with threats until she was 26 and included instances of Rolls burning her with a car cigarette lighter and showing her pictures of female genital mutilation.
Rolls attorney John Karafa of Muskegon was not immediately available for comment but has dismissed the woman’s allegations as "highly suspect" and "categorically denied as untrue."
Rolls has missed numerous County Commission meetings, but he remains a commissioner and a member of the board’s Finance and Physical Resources Committee which is charged with overseeing the operation of the Kent County Jail.
Rolls represents the city of Lowell and the townships of northeast Kent County.
How Gary Rolls arrest went down: Kent County colleague calls it 'dignified'
MLive
November 21, 2013
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2013/11/how_gary_rolls_arrest_went_dow.html
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls was taken into custody "in a dignified way" after a board meeting Thursday morning, according to a colleague.
Commissioner Tom Antor, R-Sparta, said he noticed state police at county offices in Grand Rapids when he left the meeting to use the restroom.
"I ascertained they were there to pick up Gary," said Antor, a former police officer with Sparta and Grand Rapids Public Schools. "I asked them if they could do it in a dignified way, and they did."
Antor said he walked Rolls, 47, out of the meeting and watched as Rolls was approached by the officers outside the chamber, taken to a side room and then taken away.
"It kind of caught everybody off guard," Antor said. "My heart goes out to his family. I'm hoping he's innocent. I'm hoping he has his day in court."
Rolls, R-Grattan Township, is being charged with four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, using a computer to commit a crime and tampering with evidence.
Allegations of the sexual misconduct came to light in 2012 – after Rolls won a Republican primary election – when a 28-year-old Muskegon-area woman claimed Rolls had sexually assaulted her for years, with sexual touching beginning at age 9.
Rolls' attorney previously has said the allegations are untrue.
Ionia County Prosecutor Ron Schafer has been appointed to handle the case because of a potential conflict with Kent County prosecutors.
"Whether he's guilty or not you feel badly for his family," said County Commissioner Jim Talen, D-Grand Rapids. "They are going to go through a very difficult time. Nobody wants that for anybody."
Rolls in November 2012 got two-thirds of the vote to win re-election to the county board representing Lowell and Cannon, Grattan, Oakfield and Vergennes townships. That term runs through 2014.
County elections officials said there’s nothing that forces Rolls to be removed from office even if he cannot attend board meetings.
"He’s an elected commissioner until he resigns, is recalled or loses an election," County Administrator Daryl Delabbio said.
Former Kent County Commissioner Jim Vaughn was in office in 2009 when he was convicted on misdemeanor assault and domestic violence charges. He lost his re-election bid in the 2010 Democratic primary.
Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls arrested outside meeting, to be charged with sex assault
MLive
November 21, 2013
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2013/11/kent_county_commission_gary_ro.html#incart_river_default
Ionia County Prosecutor Ron Schafer, appointed to handle the case because of a potential conflict with Kent County prosecutors, issued a statement Thursday about the charges.
Rolls, of Grattan Township, is being charged with four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, using a computer to commit a crime and tampering with evidence.
Allegations of the sexual misconduct came to light in 2012 when a 28-year-old woman came forward to claim Rolls had sexually assaulted her for years, with sexual touching beginning at age 9.
Rolls was re-elected to the Kent County Board of Commissioners in November 2012.
Rolls' attorney earlier said the allegations were untrue.
Kent County Commissioner Rolls arrested
Gary Rolls, Jr. facing sexual assault charges
WOOD TV News
Thursday, November 21, 2013
http://www.woodtv.com/news/kent-county/kent-co-commissioner-gary-rolls-arrested
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Embattled Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls, Jr., accused in a personal protection order of harassing and sexually assaulting a Muskegon-area woman for years, was arrested by Michigan State Police Thursday morning.
The Grattan Township Republican was reportedly picked up during a meeting at the Kent County building in downtown Grand Rapids.
The Ionia County Prosecutor's Office, appointed by the Michigan Attorney General's Office as a special prosecutor to handle the case because of Rolls, Jr.'s ties to Kent County, issued a six-count criminal complaint against him.
The complaint included four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, which could result in up to life in prison for Rolls, Jr., if convicted.
Rolls, Jr. was also charged with using a computer to commit a crime, and tampering with evidence.
The accusation of sexual assault went on for several years, but it was unclear if the statute of limitations had run out on the case.
County documents later revealed Dawn Rolls, who is Gary Rolls, Jr.'s wife, told investigators that her husband admitted he set up an erasure program on his iPad as state police investigated the accusations.
Kent County Commissioner Rolls arrested
WOOD TV8
Nov 21, 2013
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPk7gFKlSdU
Kent County Commissioner Rolls arrested
WOOD TV8
Nov 21, 2013
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOmFb_KEIJ8
Kent County commissioner in jail awaiting arraignment on criminal sexual conduct charges
MLive
Nov 21, 2013
https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2013/11/kent_county_commissioner_in_ja.html
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Gary Lynn Rolls sits in the jail he was elected to help oversee as a member of the Kent County Board of Commissioners.
Rolls, 47, awaits arraignment on Friday, Nov. 22, in Kent County District Court on four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, using a computer to commit a crime and tampering with evidence.
Rolls was arrested by state police Thursday morning at the Kent County Building in downtown Grand Rapids where he was attending a meeting.
Ionia County Prosecutor Ronald Schafer, handling the case for the state, on Thursday announced the filing of the charges that carry a maximum penalty of life in prison if the Grattan Township Republican is convicted.
A 28-year-old Muskegon County woman alleges Rolls began molesting her when she was 9 years old and began having sex with her at the age of 13.
The detailed allegations came to light a week after Rolls won an August 2012 primary election and later won re-election to his board seat that November. The alleged victim made accusations of prolonged sexual assaults during a Muskegon County Circuit Court hearing regarding a personal protection order the woman had taken out against Rolls.
The woman’s allegations led police to seek a felony arrest warrant against Rolls and also a warrant to search his house.
Police searched Rolls’ home and business and allegedly seized computers, an iPad, disks, papers and other items.
Rolls has also been charged with tampering with evidence in alleged attempt to destroy some items sought by law enforcement. Police allege that a remote command was given to Rolls' iPad to erase information after it was seized by police.
The woman says the abuse continued with threats until she was 26 and included instances of Rolls burning her with a car cigarette lighter and showing her pictures of female genital mutilation.
Rolls attorney John Karafa of Muskegon was not immediately available for comment but has dismissed the woman’s allegations as “highly suspect” and “categorically denied as untrue.”
Rolls has missed numerous County Commission meetings, but he remains a commissioner and a member of the board’s Finance and Physical Resources Committee which is charged with overseeing the operation of the Kent County Jail.
Rolls represents the city of Lowell and the townships of northeast Kent County.
How Gary Rolls arrest went down: Kent County colleague calls it 'dignified'
MLive
November 21, 2013
https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2013/11/how_gary_rolls_arrest_went_dow.html
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls was taken into custody “in a dignified way” after a board meeting Thursday morning, according to a colleague.
Commissioner Tom Antor, R-Sparta, said he noticed state police at county offices in Grand Rapids when he left the meeting to use the restroom.
"I ascertained they were there to pick up Gary," said Antor, a former police officer with Sparta and Grand Rapids Public Schools. "I asked them if they could do it in a dignified way, and they did.”
Antor said he walked Rolls, 47, out of the meeting and watched as Rolls was approached by the officers outside the chamber, taken to a side room and then taken away.
"It kind of caught everybody off guard,” Antor said. “My heart goes out to his family. I'm hoping he's innocent. I'm hoping he has his day in court."
Rolls, R-Grattan Township, is being charged with four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, using a computer to commit a crime and tampering with evidence.
Allegations of the sexual misconduct came to light in 2012 – after Rolls won a Republican primary election – when a 28-year-old Muskegon-area woman claimed Rolls had sexually assaulted her for years, with sexual touching beginning at age 9.
Rolls' attorney previously has said the allegations are untrue.
Ionia County Prosecutor Ron Schafer has been appointed to handle the case because of a potential conflict with Kent County prosecutors.
"Whether he's guilty or not you feel badly for his family," said County Commissioner Jim Talen, D-Grand Rapids. "They are going to go through a very difficult time. Nobody wants that for anybody."
Rolls in November 2012 got two-thirds of the vote to win re-election to the county board representing Lowell and Cannon, Grattan, Oakfield and Vergennes townships. That term runs through 2014.
County elections officials said there’s nothing that forces Rolls to be removed from office even if he cannot attend board meetings.
“He’s an elected commissioner until he resigns, is recalled or loses an election,” County Administrator Daryl Delabbio said.
Former Kent County Commissioner Jim Vaughn was in office in 2009 when he was convicted on misdemeanor assault and domestic violence charges. He lost his re-election bid in the 2010 Democratic primary.
Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls arrested outside meeting, to be charged with sex assault
MLive
Nov 21, 2013
https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2013/11/kent_county_commission_gary_ro.html#incart_river_default
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls was arrested Thursday, Nov. 21 outside a county meeting and is expected to be charged with multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct involving a Muskegon area woman, authorities said.
Ionia County Prosecutor Ron Schafer, appointed to handle the case because of a potential conflict with Kent County prosecutors, issued a statement Thursday about the charges.
Rolls, of Grattan Township, is being charged with four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, using a computer to commit a crime and tampering with evidence.
Allegations of the sexual misconduct came to light in 2012 when a 28-year-old woman came forward to claim Rolls had sexually assaulted her for years, with sexual touching beginning at age 9.
Rolls was re-elected to the Kent County Board of Commissioners in November 2012.
Gary Rolls allegedly purchased secret Florida trip, motel visits with sex assault victim
MLive
Nov 21, 2013
https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2013/11/gary_rolls_allegedly_purchased.html
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Kent County Commissioner Gary Rolls allegedly held a separate credit account with the woman he is accused of sexually assaulting for 13 years so he could purchase a secret trip to Florida for two of them, motel rooms and gifts, according to court documents.
Rolls, 47, was arrested Thursday, Nov. 21, after a board meeting at the county offices in Grand Rapids. He is in jail and is expected to be arraigned Friday in Kent County District Court on four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, using a computer to commit a crime and tampering with evidence.
The charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison if the Grattan Township Republican is convicted. Ionia County Prosecutor Ronald Schafer is handling the case for the state and announced the filing of the charges on Thursday.
The victim, who was 28 when she came forward to authorities in 2012, told police Rolls is her former neighbor. The Muskegon area woman alleged Rolls sexually assaulted her beginning when she was nine or 10 years old, and the misconduct continued until she was 23, court documents state.
The victim said Rolls took her on a trip to Florida in February 2004 without his wife's knowledge.
Rolls obtained a credit card with the victim between 2000 and 2004, using it to pay for hotel and motel rooms they used during the alleged assaults, according to a search warrant documents. He purchased jewelry, shoes and purses for the victim to prevent her from revealing the sexual abuse, documents state.
A copy of the victim's credit report indicated that hers and Rolls' addresses were associated. Rolls allegedly told the victim he needed her assistance with the credit card to help with his own credit problems, according to court documents.
The victim came forward to authorities soon after Rolls won a Republican primary election in 2012. She filed a personal protection order against him.
The woman told police that the abuse consisted of sexual touching and other acts until she was 17, when Rolls forced her to include intercourse to their interactions, documents state.
Rolls allegedly took nude photos and videos of the victim using digital and video cameras and a cell phone.
Police executed a search warrant on Rolls' home in October 2012 and confiscated his iPad, which began automatically deleting its memory when examiners tried to access its content, search warrant documents state. Police believe the device was given a remote command to scrub its memory.
Rolls' wife told police that he told her he set up the remote command to erase the iPad, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Rolls' term runs through 2014. He will remain in office through the end of his term unless he resigns or gets recalled, county election officials said.
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