GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A Kent City man who tested positive for HIV was convicted of sexually assaulting a girl multiple times over several years.

The girl had previously testified that Christopher Michael Haggerty, 31, told her she would “go to hell” if she disclosed the sexual assaults.

A Kent County jury on Wednesday found Haggerty guilty of multiple felonies, including first-degree criminal sexual conduct and having sexual intercourse with an unknowing partner knowing he had HIV.

Man faces HIV charges in child sexual abuse case

He faces life in prison when he returns to serve his sentence in January. Haggerty remains held in the Kent County jail without bail. Two separate criminal cases are ongoing.

Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker said the details of the case are disturbing. He praised assistant prosecutor Elizabeth Bartlett for her work.

“You never know what can happen when a child is forced to take the stand in front of a jury of adults, and I’m very happy with this verdict and being able to hold this man accountable for the terrible things he did,” Becker said. .

The trial began Monday in Kent County Circuit Court.

The victim told investigators last fall that she was sexually assaulted by Haggerty when she was 5 or 6 years old, according to court records. The attacks occurred in multiple locations, the girl said.

Haggerty was arrested in early January.

Court records showed that a second victim, a boy, was confirmed to have HIV. Investigators said both victims were known to Haggerty.

“Any sexual crime involving a child is horrific,” Becker said.

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