LANSING — Today, Robert Allen DeClercq, 72, of Grosse Pointe, was convicted by an Oscoda County jury of two counts of First-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct, Person under 13, Defendant over 17, a potential life-sentence offense, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.  

In 2020, DeClercq assaulted a female minor relative in the bathroom of his secondary residence in Oscoda County’s Fairview Township. 

“This very young victim of sexual assault showed great courage in telling a trustworthy adult in her life what had occurred,” said Nessel. “I am grateful for the jury, and the Michigan State Police for their investigative efforts, and those of my office’s prosecutors, who brought accountability and justice for this assault.” 

The 2020 assault will carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years up to lifetime imprisonment. Sentencing will be held on August 18 at 11:00 a.m. before Judge Cassandra Morse-Bills in the 23rd Circuit Court in Mio.