Archdiocesan Employee Accused of Sexual Abuse Is Fired, Arrested

A sad story today from the Archdiocese of Detroit:  Joseph Peter Sturza, who worked as director of admissions at Austin Catholic Academy in Ray Township as well as serving as a youth minister at St. Isidore Catholic parish in Macomb Township, has been arrested for child sexual abusive activity.

Sturza apparently was popular with his neighbors, who described him as “a great guy” who was “always willing to help.”  He also had earned the trust of parents, and some on-line comments insist that he went out of his way to help, and that the charges must be an effort to discredit him and could not be true.

While of course, Sturza is innocent until proven guilty, initial reports would seem to indicate that the charges will be proven to be true.

What is also true is that everyone–both law enforcement and Archdiocesan staff–acted quickly and appropriately, once the possible betrayal of trust became known.

The Macomb County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement, as did the Archdiocese of Detroit.  Following are these statements in their entirety.

First, the statement of the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office:

Sheriff’s Office Arrests Macomb Township Man

Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham reports that his agency has arrested a 47 year-old Macomb Township man after determining that he was involved in child sexual abusive activity. The Sheriff’s Office had been contacted by the Archdiocese of Detroit over concerns with one of their employees, the Director of Admissions at the Austin Catholic Academy located in Ray Township.

The Sheriff’s Computer-Crimes Team began an investigation on the 19th of November after receiving copies of electronic mail that had been intercepted by the parents of a child. The victim’s parents had alerted the school where the man is employed.

The e-mails that were intercepted were sexually graphic and were indicative of child sexual-abuse activity. The investigation culminated in the arrest of the man early this morning.

Joseph Peter Sturza is charged with:

Count 1: Child Sexual Abuse Activity (20 year felony) Count 2: Computer-Communicating w/Another to Commit Crime (15 years) Count 3: Children-Accosting For Immoral Purposes (4 years) Count 4: Computer-Communicating w/Another to Commit Crime (4 years)

According to Sheriff Wickersham, the Archdiocese of Detroit has been fully cooperative and helpful in all aspects of the investigation. “As soon as the Archdiocese became aware of the allegations, they immediately took steps to remove the man from his position and they secured evidence.”

And here, the statement from the Archdiocese of Detroit:

Regarding Joe Sturza

For Immediate Release

November 26, 2014

The Archdiocese of Detroit has been informed of the arrest of Mr. Joe Sturza, who was employed as director of admissions at Austin Catholic High School in Macomb Township and as youth minister at St. Isidore Parish in Macomb Township. The Archdiocese was recently made aware of alleged inappropriate communications between Mr. Sturza and a minor. The information was immediately shared with the Macomb County Sheriff’s Department. Mr. Sturza is no longer employed by the school or parish. The Archdiocese of Detroit is fully cooperating with law enforcement authorities. Due to the ongoing law enforcement and legal processes, we are unable to give further details about the matter at this time.

Families at Austin Catholic High School and St. Isidore are being informed of this situation. Mr. Sturza had been employed at the high school since October 2012 and part-time at the parish since this past summer. Also being informed are the communities of St. Francis of Assisi-St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in New Haven, where Mr. Sturza volunteered between 2006 and 2008, and worked as a youth minister from the fall of 2008 until the summer of 2014; and St. Mary Mystical Rose Parish in Armada, where Mr. Sturza worked as a youth minister from July 2011 until June 2014.

To report matters of inappropriate contact between an adult and a minor, individuals are encouraged to contact local law enforcement. Individuals also may report matters by calling the Archdiocese of Detroit’s victim assistance line at 866-343-8055.

The Detroit Archdiocese takes with extreme seriousness any issue involving the safety and well-being of young people. We ask that the faithful keep everyone involved in their prayers.