Man testifies he had ‘inappropriate conversations’ via Facebook with young girl

James Gigante, at left, with his attorney, Robert Hackett.

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor.

LUDINGTON — A 49-year-old Victory Township man who pleaded guilty in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2015, to accosting children for immoral purposes and possession of child sexually abusive material testified that he had “inappropriate conversations” via Facebook messages with a girl under the age of 16.

James Philbrick Gigante was arrested along with Troy Leland Ambrose, 21, of Fountain by deputies and detectives from the Mason County Sheriff’s Office following a seven-month investigation.

Two counts of using a computer to commit a crime were dismissed as part of Gigante’s plea agreement. The plea deal calls for serving four months in jail of a one-year discretionary jail sentence, followed by three months on a tether. Gigante will also be required to register as a sex offender.

“I had inappropriate conversations with a young lady on Facebook with private messages,” Gigante testified, stating that the victim was under the age of 16.

Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 1 at 3:15 p.m.

Ambrose is looking at serving one year in jail after pleading guilty, Oct. 7, to attempted third-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC). See related story here.

Both men were arrested last July and are free on bond.