By By NORMA LERNER / Niles Daily Star
CASSOPOLIS – "Your sentencings today are overdue," Circuit Judge Michael E. Dodge told John Tighe before he sent him off to prison for 20 to 40 years.
Tighe was sentenced Friday morning in Cass County Circuit Court on six counts of criminal sexual conduct – three first-degree and three second-degree – against a girl 8 to 12 years old from 2001 through 2006.
Tighe, 54, of 60720 Woodland Road, Dowagiac, told his defense lawyer Jason Ronning that he plans to appeal his sentencing, which included eight to 15 years for the second-degree counts.
He was convicted by a jury trial July 31 and will not be available for parole until he serves the 20 years.
Dodge said his sentencings are concurrent.
Chief Assistant Prosecutor Frank Machnik said in his many years of prosecuting criminal sexual conduct cases, he has never seen anyone that deserves predatory status more than Tighe.
He groomed and abused four females over 30 years and basically victimized them as children.
Now being older, they were approximately 11 years old at the time.
He said he has testimony of victims who are now in their 40s.
He victimized them until they would say "stop" and then find another victim, Machnik said.
"It was an ongoing system of predatory conduct. He is a danger to society. It affected the lives of at least four women that we know of," Machnik said in asking for 30 to 50 years to protect society. "It would send a message that this type of behavior is not going to be tolerated."
Ronning objected to an offense variable and gave case law to support it and was able to strike 50 scoring points.
Ronning said Tighe had been convicted for behavior involving a family member but denies conduct with others, asking for the middle of the guideline range, which was adjusted to 126 to 210 months.
Prior to imposing sentencing, Dodge said evidence was heard during the trial that he began molesting the girl as an 8-year-old and continued until 11 or 12 years of age.
This happened from 2001 to 2006. Admitted into evidence was another assault of a family member during 1986 and 1987.
Dodge said there was a third family member and another girl, both 8- to 9-years old who were molested.
"This was overwhelming. The jury found you guilty on all charges. I read letters from friends and church members. The jury did not believe you after hearing evidence. You took advantage of a helpless child in your own family. You devastated her psychologically with injuries she will no doubt carry with her the rest of her life. I am convinced there should be a deviation from the guideline range.
"You say it was a conspiracy against you. I find it not comprehensible," the judge said.
Dodge went over the top of the 210 months which was 17.5 years. Costs and fines totaled $1,407.
Tighe received credit for 35 days served.