Michigan: Former Catholic School Teacher Pleads Guilty, MI AG Clergy Abuse Team Secures Fourth Conviction
Michimich.com/10125133

Contact: Lynsey Mukomel 517-599-2746Agency: Attorney General

June 18, 2021

LANSING - A former Catholic school music teacher will serve at least a decade in prison after pleading guilty to four counts of criminal sexual conduct, which will result in the harshest prison sentence thus far in the Michigan Department of Attorney General's ongoing clergy abuse investigation.

Joseph - or Josef - Comperchio, of Fort Myers, Florida, was first charged last September for sexually abusing two children. In those cases, he was charged with two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and four counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Then in October of last year, five new counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct involving two individuals were added.

More on Michimich.com

• Strategic Partnerships with Defiant Space Corp and Emtel Energy USA Powerfully Enhance Solar Tech Leader with NASA Agreements: Ascent Solar $ASTI
• 120% Revenue Surge with Four Straight Profitable Quarters Signal a Breakout in the Multi-Billion Dollar Homebuilding Market: Innovative Designs $IVDN
• Leading Venture Capital Firms Recognize Wzzph Exchange's Technical Architecture and Security Framework as Industry Benchmark
• DivX Unveils Major DivX Software Update: Seamless Video Sharing and Customizable Playback Now Available
• Nespolo Mechanical Helps New Mexico Families Save Thousands on Heating Costs This Fall

The charges stem from Comperchio's time as the drama and music teacher at St. John Catholic School in Jackson in the 1970s.

This morning, before Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Susan. B. Jordan, Comperchio pleaded guilty to the following:

• three counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct; and
• one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

The admission will result in a minimum of ten years and maximum of 20 years in prison as well as lifetime sex offender registration. He will be subject to lifetime electronic monitoring.

"I continue to be proud of the work my clergy abuse team is doing to obtain justice in these cases," Nessel said. "We remain indebted to the survivors who have come forward in order to share their stories. Their bravery is directly correlated with this accountability, and we will continue to ensure their voices are heard."

More on Michimich.com

• Leading Digital Finance Platform YNQTL Launches Revolutionary Web3 Digital Asset Trading Platform
• IDCXS Addresses Crypto Trading Pain Points with 2 Million TPS Processing and Multi-Layer Security Architecture
• Bridging Traditional Finance and Web3 Innovation: BLFCW Announces Strategic Vision for Regulated Web3 Economy
• NKSCX Responds to "Coordinated Smear Campaign" as Anonymous Critics Emerge Following Regulatory Milestones
• Broadway Gala Honored Also an Italian

Sentencing for Comperchio is set for Aug. 4 at 10 a.m.

Comperchio is the fourth individual to plead guilty to various charges as a result of Nessel's clergy abuse investigation.

Previously, a successful plea deal with Gary Jacobs was the harshest prison sentence secured. Jacobs' sentence is between eight and 15 years in prison.

Former priests Patrick Casey and Brian Stanley pleaded guilty in their respective cases previously as well.

To learn more about Nessel's investigation into clergy abuse or to submit information, visit the Attorney General's website. Tips can also be provided over the phone by calling 844-324-3374.

---

Show All News | Report Violation