Terpening guilty on 8 sex offenses

HASTINGS, Mich. (WOOD) - Michael Terpening was found guilty on 8 counts of various sex crimes related to youth who attended a home for troubled teens he ran in Barry County.

Terpening was found guilty on eight charges against four victims:

• One count of Criminal Sexual Conduct , 3rd Degree
• One count of Criminal Sexual Conduct, 2nd Degree
• One count of Attempted Criminal Sexual Conduct, 4th Degree
• Two counts of Aggravated Indecent Exposure
• Three counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct, 4th Degree

“Michael Terpening’s conviction on multiple felony counts achieves justice for the victims and their families who were traumatized by his abuse," Joy Yearout, a spokeswoman for Attorney General Bill Schuette, said in a statement. "We will seek the maximum sentence, which is 15 years in prison.”

Terpening will be sentenced December 13 by Barry County Judge Amy McDowell

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Closing arguments took place on Thursday, and the judge gave them final instructions on Friday.

On the last day of the nine-day trial, Terpening was on the stand for several hours as he was questioned by his own attorney, Thomas Schaeffer, and then cross examined by a deputy attorney general who is the prosecutor in this case.  

Much of Terpening's testimony focused on his work with animals at Earth Services, the house for troubled teens he used to run.  He also spoke about the troubled pasts of many of his alleged teen victims. He mentioned things like criminal charges and past suicide attempts.  

Terpening denied every one of the 13 charges he faces.

He admitted that someone may have interpreted touching incorrectly, but he denied ever touching anyone inappropriately.

The case began when Terpening was arrested on August 24, 2011. Over time, additional charges were filed against him. He also faces an insurance fraud charge in a separate case.