COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – A former night custodian for Union City Community Schools was ordered to serve up to 50 years in prison on Monday in Branch County Circuit Court after he was arrested in March on numerous charges.
43-year-old Ray Charles Zierle was ordered to serve between nine and 50 years in the Michigan Department of Corrections after he entered no contest pleas to two counts of first degree criminal sexual conduct.
He was also given a concurrent sentence of nine to 20 years after entering a no contest plea to a charge of delivering or manufacturing methamphetamine.
Six other charges in two separate cases were dismissed by prosecutors in exchange for the pleas. Zierle was given credit for 44 days already served in jail.
Zierle was arrested after a search warrant was executed at his home on Bidwell Road last December. During the search, the Branch County Sheriff’s Office said multiple electronic devices were seized. Police also said they uncovered “explicit conversations” between Zierle and a minor who was not a Union City student.
Zierle was terminated in April after the district conducted an investigation into the allegations.
I’m liking these sentences lately. Is O’Grady feeling ok?