NEWAYGO COUNTY, Mich. — The Big Rapids Police officer accused of sexually abusing a young family member is heading to trial.
However, he may stand before a different judge after counsel for Ryan Dornbos filed a motion for the dismissal of Judges Ellsworth Stay and Robert Springstead.
According to court documents, Judge Robert Springstead was previously the Newaygo County Prosecutor during the time Dornbos was a police officer.
The defense also said in filings Judge Springstead’s daughter is a close friend of Bornbos' estranged wife.
He has also been a Facebook friend with Dornbos, the filings detail.
“Even assuming for argument that all of the interactions between the court and the defendant were positive, this could still result in ‘accusations’ causing an increased sense of negativity toward the defendant in a number of ways,” the defense argues.
Judge Stay filed to recuse himself.
Judge Stay told the court his reason for filing to recuse himself was "I have personal knowledge of disputed evidentiary facts concerning the preceding."
The motion for recusal will be heard on August 6.
The Newaygo County Prosecutor's Office asked Kent County Prosecutor Christopher Becker to prosecute the case due to a conflict of interest.
Dornbos turned himself into police in Fremont in March. He's charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct with a person under the age of 13.
The alleged abuse took place between 2018 and 2023 in a Newaygo County home while Dornbos was working as a police officer for the City of Newaygo and in Big Rapids.
13 ON YOUR SIDE reached out to the Big Rapids Police Department for a statement months ago and has not yet heard back.
The judge previously ordered Dornbos to not have contact with the victim or the victim's mother, as well as ordered him not to have any firearms or alcohol.
The victim in the case asked the court to consider a closed-circuit television testimony on the recommendation of a therapist.
Dornbos posted a $10,000 personal recognizance bond, however, he's due back in court on Aug. 6 for a bond violation hearing as well as the pre-trial hearing.
Editors note: This story has been corrected. It initially stated that both judges had recused themselves. They have only filed for recusal and will not be officially off the case until and unless their recusals are approved.
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