Ex-Ferndale Cop Sentenced On Sex Charge

PONTIAC (AP) - A former Ferndale police officer has been ordered to serve a minimum of about six years in prison for sexually assaulting a girl when she was between the ages of 11 and 13.

Thomas Cupples didn't make a statement Thursday, but his attorney denied his client had engaged in any wrongdoing.

Charged with two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, Cupples was convicted earlier this month of two counts of the lesser offense of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. The Oxford resident was sentenced Thursday in Oakland County Circuit Court to a minimum of 71 months.

Cupples also was ordered to have no contact with the victim and wear a tether for the rest of his life once he's released from prison.

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