NEWS RELEASE
CHIPPEWA COUNTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY
*************************
Following a five-day jury trial, Sean James McInnis was found guilty on Friday January 27, 2023 of six felony counts including Criminal Sexual Assault in the 1st Degree, three separate counts of Child Abuse in the 1st Degree, and two counts of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon.
The jury heard from 20 witnesses and viewed 25 different exhibits before making their decision. McInnis is currently lodged in the Chippewa County Correctional Facility awaiting sentencing.
The 50th Circuit Court has scheduled his sentencing for April 18, 2023 at 11:30 am. The case was complex and could not have been successful without the diligent work from several local agencies.
The investigation was completed by Detective Douglas Mitchell of the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office following a referral by the Diane Peppler Resource Center. Several child protective service workers from MDHHS helped the family along the way, and Hiawatha Behavioral Health provided invaluable support to the children which ultimately allowed them to tell the jury about the defendant’s actions.
Ultimately, the case was tried by Chippewa County Assistant Prosecutors Jillian Sadler and Kristin Giommi.
This is the second time the defendant has been convicted of child abuse.
The first was in the 1990’s. The current case spanned several years. More details may be released following the defendant’s sentencing. Presently, all this Office can say is that one more violent man is safely residing within the correctional facility awaiting his ultimate sentence.
