By Lauren Winther
Joseph Bryant, the man who pleaded guilty to criminal charges after he was caught masturbating while listening to a student rehearsing in a Grand Rapids Community practice room, was sentenced Tuesday by Kent County Circuit Court Judge Paul Sullivan to one day to life in prison.
The indeterminable sentence enables the Michigan Department of Corrections to keep Bryant incarcerated until he is no longer considered a sexually delinquent person.
State psychiatric experts and the state parole board will determine if Bryant remains a sexually delinquent person in the future.
Bryant pleaded guilty Aug. 26 to indecent exposure as a sexually delinquent person and habitual offender fourth offense. He has already spent a year behind bars at the Kent County Jail for the Aug. 19, 2012 incident that occurred in GRCC’s music building.
The student was practicing the piano in a music room, when Bryant interrupted and asked if he could listen to her play. After agreeing the student quickly realized the reflection in the piano mirrored Bryant masturbating behind her.
The student hastily left the room and contacted the campus police.
During the sentencing, Bryant did not make a statement nor did the victim who was present.
Although Bryant reached a plea agreement with the Kent County Prosecutor’s office, Judge Sullivan said the crime Bryant pleaded guilty to is legislatively mandated at one day to life.
Bryant’s plea deal, which was a minimum of six to 11 years, could be taken into consideration by the parole board.
