DRUG COUNSELOR ENTERS REHAB PROGRAM

Lapeer - Sentencing for a former McLaren Regional Medical Center drug
counselor, who pleaded no contest to a drug and criminal sexual
conduct charge, was adjourned Friday until Feb. 22 so he can
immediately enroll in a substance treatment program.

James D. Forfar, 43, of Deerfield Township will now face sentencing
for one count of attempted fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct and
one count of possession of marijuana.

Forfar also faces arraignment in Lapeer District Court Tuesday on a
new charge of drunken driving after he allegedly crashed through a
fence and struck a headstone at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Lapeer on Jan. 8.

According to a Lapeer police report, Forfar, who was free on bond
while awaiting sentencing, drank at a local bar and then crashed into
the cemetery about 2 a.m.

A cemetery superintendent arriving for work called police about 7
a.m. when he spotted Forfar and his car crashed into the headstone.

In his report, Officer John Cipielewski said Forfar had a .16 percent
blood alcohol level when a test was given that morning. In Michigan,
a motorist is considered intoxicated when the blood alcohol level
reaches .10 percent.

Defense attorney Michael P. Manley said he asked for the sentence
delay to expedite rehabilitation for his client.

Initially, Forfar was charged with two counts of third-degree CSC,
which each carried a maximum of 15 years in prison.

Forfar, who was fired by McLaren, allegedly forced a woman into his
bedroom at knifepoint then tied her to a bed and sexually assaulted
her in June, police said.

Prosecutors said he then allegedly threatened to harm her or her
children if she reported the assaults. The woman, 38, later reported
the assault while at a mental health facility in Madison Heights.

The other alleged victim, 38, told police Forfar offered to let her
stay with him, then did drugs with her and forced her to have sex.

Under the plea agreement, he faces a maximum of a year in jail on the
reduced criminal sexual count and the marijuana charge. A no contest
plea is not an admission of guilt but is treated as such at time of
sentencing.

The plea agreement also means Forfar will have to register with the
state's sex offender list.