Holland attorney pleads in sex case

HOLLAND, Mich. (WOOD) - Attorney Carl Gabrielse pleaded guilty to two sex charges originally brought by a woman who met with him about her drunken driving case.

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

Gabrielse, until this incident a Holland deputy city attorney, admitted sexually assaulting a woman in the 58th District Courthouse who was charged with drunken driving. After the assault, he immediately reduced her criminal charges, the alleged victim told 24 Hour News 8.

The Ottawa County prosecutor agreed to delay the sentence for up to one year. To qualify for the delayed sentence, Gabrielse will have to spend six months in Ottawa County Jail and attend sex therapy for six months. If the court receives a positive report from a therapist, the prosecutor will dismiss the the third-degree CSC, and then enter a guilty plea on a lesser charge.

Depending on the outcome, Gabrielse may not have to register with the sex offenders list.