Kalina Bound Over to Circuit Court in AG Nessel's Clergy Abuse Case

LANSING – Neil Kalina, a former priest facing felony criminal sexual conduct charges as a result of Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s clergy abuse investigation, waived his rights to a preliminary hearing Tuesday in Macomb County District Court.

Kalina, 64, is scheduled for arraignment in Macomb County Circuit Court at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 10 on two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a person between the ages of 13 and 16. The incidents reportedly occurred in 1984.

In addition to those two crimes, Kalina was originally charged with two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a person under 13 years old. However, after further investigation and the discovery of new information, the Attorney General’s office dismissed those charges.

“The list of clergy members who have been accused of abusive behavior continues to grow, and my office is committed to finding justice for their victims,” Nessel said. “My staff and I will continue to expose these wrongdoings and ensure those who abuse their authority are held accountable for their actions.”

When the assaults reportedly occurred, Kalina was a priest at St. Kieran Catholic Church in Macomb County’s Shelby Township. The church is housed within the Archdiocese of Detroit. Kalina is also believed to have provided the victim with alcohol and drugs.

Kalina left Michigan around 1985 and moved to San Pedro, California, where he operated a faith-based service program for at-risk young men. He was arrested May 23, 2019, in Littlerock, California.

The Attorney General’s investigation into clergy abuse involves the seizure of 1.5 million paper documents and 3.5 million electronic documents from Michigan’s seven dioceses through search warrants executed in October 2018. The investigation has resulted in several priests being charged with multiple crimes:

• Joseph Baker – Scheduled to appear at a jury trial on Feb. 10 in Wayne County Circuit Court.
• Patrick Casey – Sentenced Nov. 20, 2019, to 45 days in jail, one year of probation and is required to attend sex offender counseling. He pleaded guilty Oct. 8, 2019, to aggravated assault.
• Timothy Crowley – The case was dismissed in Washtenaw County District Court. The Department of Attorney General filed an appeal Dec. 10, 2019, and Crowley filed a motion set to be heard Feb. 12, 2020, for sanctions against the department.
• Vincent DeLorenzo – Scheduled for a preliminary hearing Feb. 5-6 in Grand Blanc District Court. He is out on bond.
• Gary Allen Jacobs – Arrested and arraigned Jan. 17, 2020, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on six counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a child between the ages of 13 and 16, one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a child between the ages of 13 and 16, and one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a person under 13. Bond was set at $100,000 cash. He is refusing extradition from New Mexico to Michigan.
• Roy Joseph – Charged Jan. 17, 2020, with one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. He currently resides in India and officials are working through the process of extradition.
• Brian Stanley – Sentenced Monday to 60 days in Allegan County Jail, with credit for two days served, and ordered to five years’ probation and to register as a sex offender for 15 years. He pleaded guilty Nov. 20, 2019, to one felony count of attempted false imprisonment.
• Jacob Vellian – Charged with two counts of rape, a maximum sentence of life in prison. He now lives in India and officials are working through the process of extradition.

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Please note: A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The Attorney General’s office does not provide booking photos; however, one may be available through the booking agency.