Father Gary Jacobs – Clergy Sexual Abuse
Father Gary Jacobs was a Catholic Priest assigned to various communities in the Upper Peninsula, including Iron Mountain, Escanaba and Ewen. Father Jacobs is currently in prison serving 8-15 year sentence after pleading guilty to multiple counts of 1st and 2nd degree criminal sexual conduct. He is eligible for release from prison sometime between 2026 and 2032.
Following his arrest and conviction in 2019, a police telephone hotline was set up and received multiple tips relating to sexual abuse of minors by Father Jacobs going back to the early 1970’s. Victims and family members who came forward reported incidences where Father Jacobs showered and undressed in front of altar boys, touched their genitalia and reportedly masturbated on at least one occasion.
Later investigations of Father Jacobs revealed Polaroid photographs of Father Jacobs giving and receiving oral sex and nude pictures of teenage boys. These photographs were discovered by another priest in the diocese in 1982, but were not made public until 1988 after Father Jacobs was placed on leave and sent for treatment for alcohol abuse. Father Jacobs was removed from Priestly Ministry in 1989 and expelled from the priesthood in 2010.
Sommers Schwartz shareholders, Lisa Esser-Weidenfeller, Matthew Curtis and Jay Yasso have fought for victims of sexual abuse. The law firm of Sommers Schwartz has recovered millions for survivors of Michigan State University and USAG team physician, Dr. Larry Nassar, and against Dr. Robert Anderson who sexually abused students, athletes and other patients for over 35 years at the University of Michigan.
If Father Jacobs or any other priest or a member of the Catholic Church sexually abused you, you should consult experienced attorneys at Sommers Schwartz. Attorneys Lisa Esser-Weidenfeller, Matthew Curtis and Jay Yasso are seasoned and aggressive personal injury attorneys who will also show you the compassion, empathy and sensitivity you deserve. All consultations with Lisa, Matt and Jay are confidential and free.
We fight hard. And we win.
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