Macomb Township Man Faces Criminal Sexual Assault Charges

A 19-year-old Macomb Township man is facing criminal sexual assault charges stemming from allegations that he performed sexual acts on a 14-year-old girl in the basement of a Mount Clemens church in late 2011.

Michael Lentini, 19, was arraigned in 41B District Court Friday on one charge of criminal sexual conduct in the third degree.

Further investigation of the alleged assault, which is reported to have occurred in December 2011 on the property of St. Peter Church in Mount Clemens, has also led to the temporary suspension of St. Peter pastor, Father Michael Cooney, 63.

The Archdiocese of Detroit temporarily suspended Cooney, 63, after the victim's mother told police she had made Cooney aware of the assault, but the priest failed to report it to the Macomb County Sheriff's Office, according to The Detroit Free Press.

"The archdiocese has learned enough at this point to question why Fr. Cooney, having been informed of this alleged conduct, failed in his response to protect the victim, in promptly reporting what he knew to law enforcement authorities, and to provide a safe environment for children and young people on parish property," read Bishop Michael Byrnes' statement to St. Peter parishoners, and published in the Detroit News. "There is no allegation of abuse against Fr. Cooney. None. But, the archdiocese does hold him accountable."

Byrnes will now serve as administrator for the church.

Lentini, who served as an usher at St. Peter, was released on a $20,000 personal bond following his arraignment Friday, according to the Detroit Free Press.