Patrick Roy Wandahsega Gets 24 Years for Child Sex Abuse

Patrick Roy Wandahsega, 40, of Wilson, Michigan, is headed to federal prison for 288 months — 24 years — after being convicted of sexually abusing a six-year-old child on the Hannahville Indian Reservation. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Paul L. Maloney, marks the end of a years-long investigation into one of the most disturbing cases of child exploitation to surface in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

The abuse occurred in December 2015 at Wandahsega’s home, where he engaged in sexual contact with the young victim. The crime came to light only after the traumatized child disclosed the assault to family members. The revelations prompted a medical examination, during which a physician confirmed signs of abuse, triggering a full-scale law enforcement response led by the Hannahville Tribal Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Following a thorough federal probe, a grand jury returned a two-count indictment against Wandahsega: one count of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child and a second count of Abusive Sexual Contact Involving Young Children. After a four-day trial in October 2017, the jury returned a guilty verdict on the second charge. Despite escaping conviction on the most severe count, the evidence was enough to secure a crushing prison sentence.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hannah N. Bobee and Paul D. Lochner prosecuted the case with a focus on the vulnerability of the victim and the betrayal of trust committed by Wandahsega. Prosecutors emphasized that the abuse took place in a private residence, a space where the child should have felt safe. The sentencing reflects federal efforts to impose maximum penalties in cases involving the youngest and most defenseless victims.

This case was prosecuted under Project Safe Childhood, a national initiative targeting those who exploit minors. The program unites federal, state, tribal, and local agencies—including the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force—to track, arrest, and convict child predators. Public outreach is a key component, with authorities striving to arm communities and children with tools to recognize and resist abuse.

U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting children, stating that no offender will evade justice due to jurisdictional boundaries—especially in tribal communities where resources are often stretched thin. Anyone with information about child exploitation is urged to contact law enforcement immediately. For more on Project Safe Childhood, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.