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Posted on Thu, May 19, 2011 : 1:45 p.m.

Man accused of sexually assaulting girl in 1997 in Ann Arbor

By Lee Higgins

A former Ann Arbor man is accused of sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl more than 13 years ago at his home on the city's west side, Washtenaw County court records show.

James Galt, 50, of Portage was arraigned Wednesday afternoon at the Washtenaw County Jail on a charge of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

According to court records, Galt is accused of sexually assaulting the girl at his Charlton Avenue home, in 1997.

Magistrate Camille Horne set bond at $50,000 cash or surety and ordered that Galt have no contact with the alleged victim. She also told Galt that he must surrender his passport to police. Records show Galt is a divorced father of two, who is originally from Scotland. He formerly worked at an Ann Arbor-based biotech company.

If convicted, Galt faces a maximum of life in prison.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 1.

Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and email at leehiggins@annarbor.com.

Comments

bamwow

Mon, May 23, 2011 : 6:49 p.m.

Can anyone provide us with more details about the article that had been in the Observer about this case 13 years ago? I'd like to find it. Thank you.

CincoDeMayo

Fri, May 20, 2011 : 7:08 p.m.

That article in the AA Observer was HEART WRENCHING. But I remember male victims in some of the cases anyway. And at least one family that only acknowledged "boundary issues" with the abuser, and seemed to be in denial regarding the seriousness. Things like that, along with shame and guilt can slow down charges being brought even in the most clear-cut cases.

BhavanaJagat

Fri, May 20, 2011 : 5:18 p.m.

If I could use Nobel Laureate William Faulkner's words, "The past is never dead....It's not even past." This is no longer a past event. We are seeking the truth and asking for consequences in the present. Michael had suggested if the memory has been repressed and later recovered during psychotherapy. I would think that children have very good memory power and recall information about experiences from childhood with ease. We adults find memory problems and have impairment. I would still like to understand this story as the description of a health related problem. I understand man as a moral being and a man who is in good health in terms of his moral well-being would easily discern right from wrong and would restrain his biological sexual instincts and express such feelings of sexual attraction in an ethical manner.

Wolf's Bane

Fri, May 20, 2011 : 2:21 p.m.

Better late than never...

mrshicks2000

Fri, May 20, 2011 : 1:40 p.m.

Of course this is tragic, but we have to remember that it is simply an allegation. We are so close to prosecute those who have allegations against them that it's scary. Just because someone says it happened, doesn't always mean it did. Please keep that in mind...there are those who lie in our society too.

dextermom

Fri, May 20, 2011 : 11:28 a.m.

It seems that what a number of us are saying is that this article is barely news/helpful. Why the decision to put this brief blurb in today? Almost seems like filler. If this is the case LDR refers to, it doesn't tell us why now. After 13 years, the reporter waiting another day or two to give us some kind of real information wouldn't have been a problem.

Michael K.

Fri, May 20, 2011 : 2:37 a.m.

I just hope this isn't a case of therapist assisted "recovered memories." There have been some heart wrenching cases of false accusations based on "memories" - more like dreams or feelings - "recovered" during therapy. Not dissimilar to the panics about rampant child care child abuse based on incorrect interviewing techniques that led to hundreds of false accusations that shook some towns. Thruth is, I guess, we know nothing about this at all, except the name of someone who has been accused of - something.

Roadman

Thu, May 19, 2011 : 9:23 p.m.

I guess things run kinda slow at Brian Mackie's office. Remember the fellow they tried to prosecute for criminal sexual conduct after an arrest warrant was outstanding for 15 years. The guy was living openly in Michiagn and later in Florida and no one seemed to notice. Judge David Swartz later dismissed the entire case on account of undue delay. I wish the County Prosecutor would pay as much attention to criminal sexual conduct cases as he does to ducklings.

LDR

Thu, May 19, 2011 : 8:30 p.m.

I believe a bit of research and/or retaining of long-term staff by AA.com (I know, wishful thinking) would have been helpful here. I lived on the Old West Side at the time of the original accusations, I remember a heartbreaking article in the AA Observer about a case in the neighborhood where the alleged perp was not charged (never said why) and the victim and family ended up continuing to see the alleged aggressor in and around the neighborhood. It's possible this case was brought to authority;s attention at the time. Now the child is an adult and able to make her own decisions about what she wants to do...good for her. I hope the truth prevails and brings her some peace.

RJA

Thu, May 19, 2011 : 8:06 p.m.

I'm not going to try to ask why...there could be over a 100 reasons. The girl was 9 back then, now a 22yr. young lady. I just hope she had a good memory, and helped getting offender caught. He has run free 13 yrs. now, and time to get put away.

actionjackson

Thu, May 19, 2011 : 7:07 p.m.

Why did it take thirteen years to arraign this guy?

Mr. Tibbs

Thu, May 19, 2011 : 6:15 p.m.

why are there people trying to teach sexuality in grade schools then? there are school districts teaching sexuality to kindergartners. all in the name of promoting what? I think you all know. what is worse, the next big "thing" once the alternative lifestyles are "acceptable" what will be the next big thrill, the next big taboo? your children! when are you going to wake up. there is already NAMBLA out there. at least the nation of islam knows how to draw a line in the sand!

Fat Bill

Mon, May 23, 2011 : 12:51 a.m.

<a href="http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/06/child-brides/gorney-text" rel='nofollow'>http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/06/child-brides/gorney-text</a> is the web link to the article I mention.

Fat Bill

Mon, May 23, 2011 : 12:37 a.m.

Take a look at this month's National Geographic for an article that will directly refute your statement regarding Islam. It is not for the faint-of-heart...