Profile Facts
- Name
- Hurmiz Risko Ishak
- Role
- Deacon
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit
- Status
- Convicted
- Records
- Diocesan and public records
When a deacon uses his position in the church to prey on a child, families deserve answers and a path to justice. The clergy sexual abuse lawyers at White Law PLLC represent Michigan survivors of clergy abuse in civil claims against abusers and the institutions that enabled them.
This page outlines the case of Deacon Hurmiz Risko Ishak, a Chaldean deacon assigned in the Archdiocese of Detroit who was convicted of sexually assaulting a young boy. The details below come from Published records’ reporting. Survivors abused by Deacon Ishak may still have civil legal options, and White Law PLLC offers confidential consultations to discuss them.
Sexual Abuse in the Archdiocese of Detroit
The Archdiocese of Detroit is the largest of Michigan’s seven dioceses, which also include Saginaw, Marquette, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Gaylord, and Kalamazoo. The Michigan Attorney General’s clergy abuse investigation, launched in 2018, has examined how each diocese handled allegations, and its reports have revealed patterns of delayed or inadequate responses. A Michigan clergy sexual abuse lawyer can assess whether those institutional failures support a civil lawsuit.
Ishak served at St. Joseph Chaldean parish in Troy. Parishes and dioceses have a duty to protect the children in their care; when they ignore warning signs or leave accused clergy in ministry, they can be held liable in civil court.
The Allegations Against Deacon Hurmiz Risko Ishak
Arrest and Charges
Published records indicate that Hurmiz Risko Ishak, originally from Iraq, had served as a deacon for 21 years. In October 2018, while assigned to St. Joseph Chaldean in Troy, he was arrested on allegations that he sexually assaulted a young boy at the church between May 2017 and October 2018. He was suspended from ministry following the arrest.
Conviction and Sentencing
Ishak was found guilty on September 29, 2019, and sentenced that month to at least four years in prison. Because his case resulted in a criminal conviction, the finding of guilt is a matter of public record.
A criminal conviction punishes the offender, but it does not compensate the survivor. Civil claims remain a separate avenue for survivors seeking damages for the harm they suffered.
Criminal vs. Civil Sexual Abuse Cases
A criminal case and a civil case serve different purposes. Prosecutors bring criminal charges to punish wrongdoing, and they must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, as happened when Ishak was convicted and imprisoned. Survivors do not control criminal prosecutions and receive no compensation from them.
What Criminal Cases Do
Criminal proceedings can remove a dangerous person from the community, but they leave the survivor’s medical bills, therapy costs, and emotional injuries unaddressed.
What Civil Cases Do
In a civil lawsuit, the survivor seeks financial recovery from the abuser and potentially from the church institutions that failed to prevent the abuse. The burden of proof is lower than in criminal court, and civil claims can proceed even after a criminal case has concluded.
Statute of Limitations on Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases in Michigan
Michigan’s filing deadlines are strict. Under §600.5805 of Michigan law, a civil sexual abuse lawsuit must generally be filed within ten years of the abuse or before the survivor’s 28th birthday, whichever is later. There is no statute of limitations for first-degree criminal sexual conduct charges in Michigan.
Survivors frequently need years, sometimes decades, before they can speak about abuse, as trauma can bury memories and fear can silence victims. If you are unsure whether your claim falls within the deadline, an attorney can evaluate the dates and any exceptions that might apply.
View All Accused Clergy in Michigan
Pursue Justice With Help From White Law PLLC
Civil damages in clergy abuse cases may cover therapy and medical expenses, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. A lawsuit can name the abuser as well as the diocese or parish, particularly where church leaders knew or should have known about the risk, failed to stop it, covered it up, or did a poor job of screening and training clergy.
White Law PLLC helps Michigan clergy abuse survivors pursue these claims with discretion and care. Call (517) 316-1195 for a confidential consultation.
Profiles summarize published records and allegations. Inclusion does not constitute a legal finding.