Deputy awaits hearing on CSC charges
KALKASKA – The Kalkaska County Sheriff Department and Kalkaska Public Schools Board of Education will be a man short for at least a while, after the arrest of a sheriff’s deputy, who’s also a member of the local school board, on three felony charges of criminal sexual conduct.
Aaron J. Popa, 39, of Kalkaska was arrested at the KCSD office Wednesday, June 18, by the Michigan State Police on three counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct.
According to a statement released by the MSP, the charges stem from an investigation that started in February regarding an alleged incident with a former female inmate at the Kalkaska County Jail while she was reportedly being transported by Popa in December 2006.
“The criminal charges were authorized by the Otsego County Prosecutor’s Office, as the incident reportedly occurred (there), while on a transport of this prisoner,” the MSP statement read. “The incident remains under investigation.”
Sheriff David Israel confirmed that Popa, a deputy with more than a dozen years of experience, was taken into custody at the KCSD office.
“He’s on unpaid suspension pending the outcome of the court proceedings,” Israel added. “I was disappointed that a warrant was issued. This case is too old and it’s a ‘he-said, she-said’ situation.”
Popa was released from custody on a personal recognizance bond after a hearing in the 87th-A District Court in Gaylord on June 18. Just a day later, he entered a plea of “not guilty” to all charges.
A pre-trial hearing has been scheduled for July 3, with a preliminary exam set for July 10.
While the KCSD will be short a deputy, the KPS Board of Education is also without its current vice president
KALKASKA – The Kalkaska County Sheriff Department and Kalkaska Public Schools Board of Education will be a man short for at least a while, after the arrest of a sheriff’s deputy, who’s also a member of the local school board, on three felony charges of criminal sexual conduct.
Aaron J. Popa, 39, of Kalkaska was arrested at the KCSD office Wednesday, June 18, by the Michigan State Police on three counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct.
According to a statement released by the MSP, the charges stem from an investigation that started in February regarding an alleged incident with a former female inmate at the Kalkaska County Jail while she was reportedly being transported by Popa in December 2006.
“The criminal charges were authorized by the Otsego County Prosecutor’s Office, as the incident reportedly occurred (there), while on a transport of this prisoner,” the MSP statement read. “The incident remains under investigation.”
Sheriff David Israel confirmed that Popa, a deputy with more than a dozen years of experience, was taken into custody at the KCSD office.
“He’s on unpaid suspension pending the outcome of the court proceedings,” Israel added. “I was disappointed that a warrant was issued. This case is too old and it’s a ‘he-said, she-said’ situation.”
Popa was released from custody on a personal recognizance bond after a hearing in the 87th-A District Court in Gaylord on June 18. Just a day later, he entered a plea of “not guilty” to all charges.
A pre-trial hearing has been scheduled for July 3, with a preliminary exam set for July 10.
While the KCSD will be short a deputy, the KPS Board of Education is also without its current vice president
John Rogers, president of the KPS board, said it’s unlikely any action would be taken to suspend or remove Popa as an elected official.
“I’ll have to be advised by our attorney on that,” Rogers said. “Certainly, it’s not good for the district. But, it’s also not good for him and his family.
“I hope for the best for him and his family,” Rogers added. “He’s a good person. He’s been good for the community.”
Besides serving as a deputy and his election to the KPS board, Popa also has been an active member of service organizations and youth sports clubs in Kalkaska. And, Rogers said that made the news of Popa’s arrest even more of a surprise to him and others.
“I’m utterly floored. With the quality person he is, it’s completely unexpected,” Rogers stated. “Of course, he’s only been accused.
“It’s innocent till proven guilty,” he added. “But, just the accusation can be so detrimental to a person.”
Deputy awaits hearing on CSC charges
KALKASKA – The Kalkaska County Sheriff Department and Kalkaska Public Schools Board of Education will be a man short for at least a while, after the arrest of a sheriff’s deputy, who’s also a member of the local school board, on three felony charges of criminal sexual conduct.
Aaron J. Popa, 39, of Kalkaska was arrested at the KCSD office Wednesday, June 18, by the Michigan State Police on three counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct.
According to a statement released by the MSP, the charges stem from an investigation that started in February regarding an alleged incident with a former female inmate at the Kalkaska County Jail while she was reportedly being transported by Popa in December 2006.
“The criminal charges were authorized by the Otsego County Prosecutor’s Office, as the incident reportedly occurred (there), while on a transport of this prisoner,” the MSP statement read. “The incident remains under investigation.”
Sheriff David Israel confirmed that Popa, a deputy with more than a dozen years of experience, was taken into custody at the KCSD office.
“He’s on unpaid suspension pending the outcome of the court proceedings,” Israel added. “I was disappointed that a warrant was issued. This case is too old and it’s a ‘he-said, she-said’ situation.”
Popa was released from custody on a personal recognizance bond after a hearing in the 87th-A District Court in Gaylord on June 18. Just a day later, he entered a plea of “not guilty” to all charges.
A pre-trial hearing has been scheduled for July 3, with a preliminary exam set for July 10.
While the KCSD will be short a deputy, the KPS Board of Education is also without its current vice president.
John Rogers, president of the KPS board, said it’s unlikely any action would be taken to suspend or remove Popa as an elected official.
“I’ll have to be advised by our attorney on that,” Rogers said. “Certainly, it’s not good for the district. But, it’s also not good for him and his family.
“I hope for the best for him and his family,” Rogers added. “He’s a good person. He’s been good for the community.”
Besides serving as a deputy and his election to the KPS board, Popa also has been an active member of service organizations and youth sports clubs in Kalkaska. And, Rogers said that made the news of Popa’s arrest even more of a surprise to him and others.
“I’m utterly floored. With the quality person he is, it’s completely unexpected,” Rogers stated. “Of course, he’s only been accused.
“It’s innocent till proven guilty,” he added. “But, just the accusation can be so detrimental to a person.”