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Man, Daughters Accused Of Sexual Assault

Assistant Prosecutor Says Accused Will Be Convicted On All Charges

POSTED: 5:27 pm EST February 5, 2009
UPDATED: 7:01 am EST February 6, 2009

Investigators are speaking out as the case develops against eight people accused of sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl.

At the center of the case, 44-year-old Roger Burgess, was arraigned last May.

Now the Arenac County man is back in custody, charged with molesting his own daughters.

Both daughters are also suspected of assaulting the same 9-year-old.

Investigators working the case said the victim, who is now 15 years old, lived in a home near the Burgess’ at the time of the incident.

Roger Burgess is currently jailed without bond and his trial is set for May. Trial dates for the other suspects have yet to be set.

Burgess, of Turner, is accused of molesting his two minor daughters, Lisa and April, in their home a decade ago.

He is also accused of raping one of their friends from school, who at the time was 9 years old.

“This is a case that’s been like none other,” said Michigan State Police Detective Jenn Pentar. “Because of the number of victims and the amount of suspects that we have arrested.”

Burgess’ daughters are in their 20s but were just 6 and 7 years old at the time of their abuse.

They too are suspects in the case, having turned from victims to abusers.

Those close to the case said the graphic details of the case -- the repeated rapes, the molestations -- were sickening.

“There were a number of separate incidences that occurred over a period of time, all very disturbing,” said Rich Vollbach, Arenac County’s assistant prosecutor. “We think ultimately, we’ll reach convictions on virtually every charged that has been issued.”

Roger Burgess is scheduled to stand trial in Standish on May 19.


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