Springfield Township resident Thomas Dittrich, 36, faces a March 26 sentencing after being convicted last week of criminal sexual assault.
The Oakland County Circuit Court jury took only about 90 minutes on Thursday, Feb. 26 to bring in the verdict, according to Assistant Prosecutor Cheryl Matthews.
‘The jury was confident in his guilt,? Matthews said.
The charges included six counts of third degree criminal sexual assault and one charge of fourth degree criminal sexual assault, all stemming from encounters with a 13-year-old girl in his home between October and December 2002, Matthews said.
Dittrich, a Waterford Township auto dealer, faces a minimum sentence of between 57 and 85 months, Matthews said, with a potential maximum sentence of 15 years. Judge Deborah Tyner ordered Dittrich jailed until sentencing.
While all sexual assault crimes are heinous, Matthews said justice in this case is especially important, ‘because [Dittrich] thought, because he has money, he should be treated differently.?
The victim was a friend of Dittrich’s then-12-year-old daughter, who told an older sister who told their mother of the illicit activity.
Attempts to reach Dittrich’s attorney, Steven Vitale, for comment were unsuccessful.