Law

Former leader of Grand Traverse Band sentenced for sex crimes

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Derek Bailey. Photo from Facebook

Derek Bailey, a former chairman and former council member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, will spend at least 25 years in prison after being sentenced in two different sexual abuse cases.

Bailey was sentenced to 25 to 50 years for abusing a minor victim in Grand Traverse County. He received 10 years in connection with another case in Leelanau County. He will serve his sentences concurrently.

“You are a predator, you're a pedophile. You're dangerous to other people," the judge told Bailey on Wednesday, 9 and 10 News reported.

Bailey served as chairman of the Grand Traverse Band from 2008 to 2012 and was serving as a council member when he was charged in May 2015. He resigned his post in July of that year

In 2011, Bailey sought the Democratic nomination for Congress but ended up running for a seat in the Michigan Legislature. During that period, he rented an apartment in Traverse City where he abused one of his victims, The Traverse City Record-Eagle reported.

Get the Story:
Bailey Sentenced To 25 Years For Sex Crimes (The Traverse Ticker 5/3)
Bailey will serve at least 25 years (The Traverse City Record-Eagle 5/2)
Derek Bailey sentenced to prison for sex crimes in two counties (WPBN/WGTU 5/2)
Derek Bailey Sentenced on Grand Traverse, Leelanau County Sex Crimes (9&10 News 5/2)
Former Michigan tribal leader sent to prison for child sex assaults (MLive 5/2)
Ex-tribe chair gets 25 years in prison for sex crimes (AP 5/2)