A Saginaw county man, who once worked as an athletic director at a local catholic school, is accused of sexually assaulting a young girl who's also related to him.

According to The Saginaw News, the alleged assaults involving the former employee at St. Thomas Aquinas happened more than 10 years ago. The victim says she was around 6 or 7 years old when the abuse began.

That girl is now a 28-year-old woman. She testified in court Monday that Gary Moreland sent her an email a few years ago asking her to forgive him.

The 72-year-old Thomas Township resident has been ordered to stand trial. He's charged with first-degree sexual conduct against someone under the age of 13, and nearly a half dozen more charges in connection with the alleged assault, including fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.  

Officials with the Saginaw Diocese say Moreland is no longer allowed on school property until the issue with the court is resolved. Most recently he volunteered at the school, working the concession stand during athletic events.

The Saginaw News is also reporting that Moreland was ordered temporarily jailed by a judge after new allegations from several other presumed victims came to light.

TV5's Gino Vicci stated people close to the case said Moreland also owned a businesses called The Clown Connection, in which he employed minors and adults to do events and birthday parties. Vicci said the children and adults would get changed for the events in Moreland's basement.

"We have two generations of people within his family that have reported sexual misconduct," said a representative with the Saginaw County Prosecutor's office.

Now police are asking anyone connected to that business that believes they were a victim of Moreland's crimes to come forward.

Moreland is currently free on $75,000 bond and his trial is scheduled to begin Feb. 5.

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