Former Naperville Priest, Teacher Pleads No Contest to Criminal Sexual Conduct Charges

A former Naperville priest and teacher pleaded no contest to multiple criminal sexual conduct charges in Michigan.

James Francis Rapp, 75, was charged with three counts of first degree criminal sexual conduct and three counts of second degree criminal sexual conduct. The charges stem from his time as a priest and teacher at Jackson Lumen Christi High School in Jackson, Michigan in the 1980s, according to a release from Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette.

In spring of 2013, more than 30 years after the alleged crimes occurred, two of Rapp's victims reported the alleged sexual abuse to the Jackson County Sheriff's Department, who then launched an extensive investigation revealing several more victims, according to the release. Charges were filed against Rapp in January and June 2015.

“This man was in a position of trust within his church and used that position to take advantage of innocent kids,” Schuette said in the release. “I applaud the victims for coming forward and am pleased that justice is finally being served for those who were robbed of a normal childhood by this man.”

Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests Director David Clohessy said SNAP is grateful for the ex-priest’s plea and hopes the news will prod others to come forward.

“If you saw, suspected or suffered any crimes or cover ups related to Fr. Rapp, it’s time to find the courage to speak up, so that the vulnerable can be protected, the wounded can be healed and the truth can be exposed and so that cover ups are deterred,” Clohessy said in a release.

Rapp was originally charged with seven counts of first degree criminal sexual conduct and 12 counts of second degree criminal sexual conduct, the release said. Under the condition of the plea, if Rapp pleaded to one count for each of the six named victims and the highest charge for each victim, the remaining 13 charges would be dropped.

Under the plea, Rapp agreed to be sentenced to 20 to 40 years served concurrently for each charge as well as compliance with the Michigan Sex Offender Registration Act, according to the release.

Ordained in 1959, Rapp held multiple teaching assignments across the country over a period of 40 years, according to the release. In addition to teaching at Jackson Lumen Christi High School, Rapp taught in Philadelphia from 1959 to 1961, Salt Lake City from 1968 to 1973 and in Lockport, New York from 1979 to 1980. Following Rapp's resignation at Jackson Lumen Christi, Rapp served as a priest and teacher in Naperville from 1987 to 1990 and Duncan, Oklahoma from 1990 to 1998.