Chippewa County Prosecutor Robert L. Stratton announced that on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, the Honorable James P. Lambros of the 50th Circuit Court sentenced Robert Leonard Ross following his convictions by a Chippewa County jury for Criminal Sexual Conduct and Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor.
On April 23, 2026, following a three-day jury trial, Ross was convicted of:
- Criminal Sexual Conduct in the Third Degree (Person Physically Helpless);
- Criminal Sexual Conduct in the Fourth Degree(Person Physically Helpless); and
- Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor.
At sentencing, the Court imposed a prison sentence of 75 months to 15 years for the Criminal Sexual Conduct in the Third Degree conviction. The minimum sentence of 75 months represented the highest minimum sentence within the applicable Michigan Sentencing Guidelines range.
During the sentencing hearing, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Kristin Giommi argued that a sentence at the top of the guidelines was appropriate based on the defendant’s predatory conduct, his exploitation of a position of trust, the deliberate act of furnishing alcohol to a 16-year-old before sexually assaulting her while she was physically helpless, and the lasting emotional trauma inflicted upon the victim. Although the Michigan Department of Corrections recommended a minimum sentence of 60 months imprisonment, Prosecution urged the Court to impose the maximum sentence allowable under Michigan Law.
After considering the evidence presented at trial, the victim impact statement, the parties’ sentencing arguments, and the applicable sentencing guidelines, Judge Lambros imposed the prosecution’s requested sentence of 75 months as the minimum term of imprisonment.
“This sentence reflects the seriousness of the defendant’s conduct and the lasting impact these crimes have had on the victim,” Prosecutor Robert L. Stratton said. “I commend the victim for the courage she demonstrated in immediately reporting these offenses, participating in the investigation, and testifying before a jury. I also want to thank the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office, the Michigan State Police Crime Laboratory, the medical professionals who conducted the forensic examination, and everyone whose dedication and professionalism helped bring this case to justice.”
The convictions arose from an incident in which Ross provided alcohol to the 16-year-old victim before she became physically helpless due to intoxication. Trial testimony established that after losing consciousness, the victim awoke on separate occasions to Ross sexually touching her. She immediately contacted her mother following the assault, and law enforcement responded without delay. During the investigation, officers recovered evidence corroborating significant portions of the victim’s account, including the alcohol containers, the scene where the parties had been drinking, and additional physical evidence located inside the residence. The victim also underwent a sexual assault forensic examination shortly after the assault was reported.
Ross was remanded into the custody of the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office immediately following the jury’s guilty verdict and will remain in the custody of the Michigan Department of Corrections to serve his sentence.
Robert L. Stratton, III
