Foster dad sentenced in rape case
BELLAIRE -- The Antrim County man convicted of sexually assaulting several children has been sentenced.
Jere Clark will spend 25 to 60 years in prison.
The 70-year old sat in a chair and rocked while the judge read his sentence. He told the court he was having difficulty standing.
Clark was found guilty in September of five counts of 1st Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct and five counts of 3rd Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct.
Clark sexually assaulted and raped two women starting in 1996.
Assistant Prosecutor Erin House says, "I hope for these victims that they finally have some closure. I think the sentence is appropriate. I know Mr. Clark is 70-years old right now, but I think he poses a danger to children as long as he is alive. We had four victims testify in trial. The first talked about a rape that occured when she was 12-years old and she went on to be raped hundreds and hundreds of times. Two to four times a week. She came forward and after she was brave enough to come forward other victims started coming forward too. They were all afraid they would never be believed."
Judge Thomas Power told Clark that because of his role as a foster parent, he also violated the trust of society.
Throughout the case, Clark has maintained his innocence.
