Jesuz Chapa, 63, who most recently lived in Dallas, Texas, will stand trial in Michigan’s 51st Circuit Court on charges of repeatedly sexually abusing a minor between 2001 and 2004, according to an April 23 announcement from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Chapa was extradited from Texas to Oceana County by the U.S. Marshals Service as part of Operation Survivor Justice and is facing five counts of First-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct, each carrying a potential life sentence.
The case centers on allegations that Chapa sexually assaulted a minor relative multiple times when the victim was between eight and eleven years old. The alleged abuse was first reported by the victim in 2007. In 2008, the Oceana County Prosecuting Attorney charged Chapa with one count of First-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct after he had moved to Dallas.
After being referred last year to the Department of Attorney General under Operation Survivor Justice—a partnership involving state prosecutors and federal authorities—Michigan State Police conducted further investigation. This led to four additional charges against Chapa for First-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct.
Attorney General Nessel said at the time of arraignment: “Survivors of sexual assault deserve to have their cases move forward, and I am grateful for our Operation Survivor Justice partners who help make it possible for us to continue pursuing justice. We remain committed to locating and returning fugitive offenders to Michigan to face the charges against them in court.”
A pretrial date has not yet been set. Officials remind that criminal charges are only allegations at this stage; defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.