Michigan Catholic school admissions director sentenced for sending inappropriate emails to child

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – A Macomb Township man faced sentencing Thursday morning in connection with the sexual abuse of a child at Austin Catholic Academy in Ray Township.

Joesph Sturza, 50, was found guilty of child sexually abusive activity and using a computer to commit child sexually abusive activity. 

Sturza was the director of admissions at the Austin Catholic Academy in Ray Township. He sent sexually graphic emails to a child about an extramarital affair he allegedly had with a man. 

The Sheriff’s Computer-Crimes Team received copies of the emails which were intercepted by the child’s parents.

ORIGINAL REPORT: Ray Township Catholic school administrator charged with child sexual abuse

“Joseph Sturza and his supporters have tried to portray our son as an extremely troubled youth and our family as completely dysfunctional,” the father of the victim said at sentencing. “You should be ashamed forever for what you have done.”  

Sturza was sentenced to one year in the Macomb County Jail and five years of probation. He will have to register as a sex offender.