MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A former Minneapolis Park Police chief was sentenced to 18 years in prison on Monday for sexually abusing children and possessing child pornography.
William Jacobs pleaded guilty to three counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct and three counts of possessing child pornography in March.
He was first arrested in 2010 after a teenager said Jacobs had abused him for three years at his Deephaven, Minn. home. Inside Jacobs’ home, investigators found nearly 40,000 images of child pornography on CDs and DVDs.
Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman says the young victim was very brave.
“He had great courage, very supportive parents. But push comes to shove, this man was terribly committed to doing the right thing,” Freeman said.
After Jacobs’ arrest, 17 men came forward and accused him of sexually abusing them between 1962 and 1980, when Jacobs was a camp counselor and cop. Those accusations, however, were too old to prosecute.
On Monday, Jacobs apologized in court and read a letter to his victims. He asked that the letter be given to the victims afterward, but the victims said they did not want it.
Jacobs said he was sorry and that he is cursed when it comes to his sexual behavior. Freeman rejects that argument.
“You are responsible for what you do, with very rare exceptions. Bill Jacobs doesn’t fit in that exception.” He said
Freeman says he hopes this case gives other victims the courage to come forward.
Jacobs will be eligible for parole after 12 years.
