May 22, 2018
(McKinney, Texas) – Michael Edward Harssema, 45, formerly of Dallas, was convicted of three different sexually violent offenses. He was sentenced to 20 years for Sexual Assault of a Child, and two 20 years sentences for Indecency with a Child by Contact along with $10,000 fines for each sentence. One of the 20 Year sentences for Indecency with a Child will run consecutive to the Sexual Assault of a Child, making a total 40 year sentence, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.
In January 2014, a child victim reported to a therapist that Harssema, her former attorney, sexually assaulted her. After receiving the report, Special Agent Joe Anders of the Federal Bureau of Investigation initiated an investigation. Special Agent Anders interviewed Harssema, who lied and attempted to mislead authorities. Michelle Lanier with the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County forensically interviewed the victim who disclosed details about the abuse.
During the two week trial, the victim’s mother testified that she was desperate to help her daughter who struggled from an eating disorder and drug addiction. She sought assistance from Harssema. On the day Harssema met the victim, he separated the victim from her mother, telling the mother that the victim would open up more about her struggles if he met with her privately. Once alone with the victim, Harssema provided her with both Xanax and alcohol. In addition, instead of driving the victim home from their dinner meeting, Harssema stopped at a nearby 7-11 where he purchased more alcohol. He later pulled into an Allen neighborhood where he sexually assaulted the underage victim. The victim’s mother attempted to reach Harssema more than 30 times. He did not take her calls but evidence introduced by prosecutors showed he took other calls. Special Agent Anders also testified about evidence he found that corroborated the victim’s account, including cell phone records that placed the victim and Harssema in the area described by the victim.
During the punishment phase of the trial, prosecutors introduced evidence of a 2012 sexual assault of another victim who reported Harssema assaulted her while he was working as her attorney. Judge Barnett Walker presided over the case and determined that one of the sentences would be served consecutively.
Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Shannon Miller and Crystal Levonius prosecuted the case. They were aided by District Attorney Investigator Greg Bowers and Victims Assistance Coordinator Susanne Riggs.
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