Attorney sex victim may take plea deal

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - The woman who reported being sexually assaulted by a Holland city attorney in a jury bathrooom is expected to plead guilty to impaired driving, 24 Hour News 8 learned Monday.

Former deputy city attorney Carl Gabrielse took a plea deal in February and admitted he sexually assaulted the young woman in November inside the 58th District Courthouse.

Gabrielse pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal sexual conduct with force or coercion, and to misconduct in office.

He was prosecuting the woman for drunken driving. After the alleged sexual assault, Gabrielse immediately reduced her charge.

The woman reported the assault and helped police in an undercover investigation of Gabrielse, but her charge still was reinstated.

As a part of her plea deal, she will plead guilty to driving while impaired, which is one step down from operating while intoxicated.

The prosecutor and police OK'd that reduced charge because of her cooperation with police and the fact that she has no prior alcohol-related driving offenses.

No date has been set for her plea and sentencing.

Gabrielse will be back in court for his sentence April 19.