SAULT STE. MARIE — A former Marquette-area Catholic priest has been found guilty of child sexually abusive activity by a Chippewa County jury.

Aaron James Nowicki, 49, a former priest in Marquette, was arrested in 2021 after an undercover operation by the Genessee Human Oppression Strike Team, the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office, the Sault Ste. Marie Police Department, the Sault Tribe Police Department and TRIDENT.

A press release from Chippewa County Prosecutor Robert Stratton says that the undercover operation saw law enforcement officials using the social media application Grindr to pose as a 15-year-old boy.

Nowicki, along with other several individuals were arrested when arriving at a location where they were expecting sexual intercourse.

The charges against Nowicki comes after he was removed from the Catholic priesthood in 2019 after allegations of sexual misconduct.

In a statement, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette addressed Nowicki’s time in the area.

“Rev. Aaron Nowicki resigned and was removed from priestly ministry on Jan. 25, 2019 due to allegations of an improper, but not criminal, relationship with a vulnerable adult,” the statement reads. “The allegations did not involve misconduct with a minor or a criminal offense. Following his resignation, a canonical (Church law) process regarding these allegations was begun. The allegations were also reported by the Diocese of Marquette to the Michigan Attorney General.”

“Clergy sexual abuse is a grave evil that should never happen. On behalf of the Church, I apologize to all those who have been harmed by any bishop, priest or deacon,” Bishop John Doerfler said in the release. “My heart goes out to you, and I pledge to accompany you on the journey to the peace and healing of Jesus Christ.”