Former Lumen Christi Catholic School facilities director Ryan Joseph Kloack has admitted nothing on the record, but his legal fight is closing in on the finish line.
Kloack pleaded no contest yesterday to a felony count of assault with intent to commit sexual penetration and three misdemeanor counts of providing alcohol to a minor. The alleged assault was reported to investigators as having occurred in September 2020. Sentencing is set for July 15 in Jackson County Circuit Court. School officials have said the allegations involved no Lumen Christi students.
According to MLive, court records show that yesterday Kloack entered a nolo contendere plea to the single felony and the three misdemeanors. Under the plea deal, a remaining count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct is expected to be dismissed at sentencing. The outlet reports Kloack was arraigned in May 2022 after initially being charged with two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and several misdemeanor counts. The case will be formally resolved when Judge John McBain hands down a sentence on July 15.
Local coverage when the first charges surfaced detailed how Kloack had been placed on administrative leave for more than 11 weeks in July 2021, following a personal protection order filed by his then-wife and a Child Protective Services notice advising that he have no contact with people 17 and under. WKHM reported that Lumen Christi officials terminated his employment immediately after his 2022 arrest.
Potential Penalty And What Comes Next
Assault with intent to commit sexual penetration is a felony under Michigan law and carries a possible prison term of up to 10 years, according to the Michigan Legislature. At the July sentencing hearing, the court will decide whether Kloack serves prison time and will set any fines, probation, and other court-ordered conditions.
Lumen Christi President Timothy DeWitt told MLive that the allegations "involved absolutely no student" from Lumen Christi or any Jackson Catholic School, and school leaders said they removed Kloack from his role when charges were filed. Prosecutors, for their part, have not released extensive details about the victim's identity in public court documents.
What A No Contest Plea Means In Court
According to the Michigan courts benchbook, a nolo contendere, or no contest, plea is treated as a conviction for sentencing purposes even though the defendant does not admit guilt on the record. Judges must determine that the plea is knowing, voluntary, and accurate before accepting it. One practical reason defendants sometimes choose a no-contest plea is to limit the risk that a direct admission of guilt in criminal court will be used against them in later civil lawsuits.
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