Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Aaron Nowicki

Father Aaron Nowicki engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a vulnerable adult while assigned to parish ministry in the Diocese of Marquette. After his removal, he was also arrested for attempting to have sex with a minor during a sting operation. 

• Primary Entity Name: Aaron Nowicki
• Common Variations / Aliases: Father Aaron Nowicki, Fr. Aaron, Fr. Nowicki
• Role/Title at Time of Incident: Parish Priest
• Current Status: Removed from ministry (2019) and granted parole (2025)

This page summarizes the history of abuse allegations against Father Aaron Nowicki, his ministry assignments, and the institution’s response to his behavior.

Public Identification and Clergy Status

This case is recent, with the accused priest ordained only in 2016. Nonetheless, Nowicki has still been identified by the following entities for substantiated sexual abuse allegations:

• The Diocese of Marquette, via a public list of credibly accused priests in 2022
• The Office of the Attorney General in Michigan, via a 2022 report on clergy abuse in the Diocese of Marquette

Key Status Facts

Ordination Year: 2016 in the Diocese of Marquette

Years in Active Ministry: 2016-2019 (roughly three years)

Locations Where He Served: Diocese of Marquette, MI

Restrictions: Removed from ministry in 2019

Criminal Convictions: Arrested in 2021 on felony counts of criminal possession of child pornography, accosting a child for immoral purposes, and using a computer to commit a crime

Laicization: N/A

Public Disclosure: 2022 by the Diocese of Marquette and the Attorney General

Assignment History

Primary Diocese: Diocese of Marquette, MI

Parish Assignments (as documented in public reports):

2012-2014 – St. Mary and Holy Spirit Catholic School in Norway, MI, and St. Barbara in Vulcan, MI

2015 – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Bark River, MI, and St. Joseph Mission in Foster City, MI

2016 – Ordained in the Diocese of Marquette

2016-2019 – St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette, MI, and St. Mary Mission in Big Bay, MI

2019 – Resigned (removed from ministry)

Known Allegations

While Aaron Nowicki was assigned to St. Peter Cathedral and St. Mary Mission, he was allegedly involved in an inappropriate relationship with a vulnerable adult. The diocese told him to resign at the time and removed him from public ministry, just three years after his ordination in the Diocese of Marquette. Church records indicate that this relationship was inappropriate, but not a criminal offense, so no further action was taken against Nowicki. 

Once Nowicki was out of the ministry, the sexual misconduct did not end. In 2021, a sting operation involved agents posing online as underage users on a dating app called Grindr. Nowicki arranged a time to meet a person he believed was a 14- or 15-year-old boy via this app. However, when he arrived at the location to have sexual intercourse with the person in the profile, authorities apprehended him. 

Nowicki was arrested on four felony counts in 2021 as a result of this operation: one count of possession of criminal sexual abuse material (child pornography), one count of accosting a child for immoral purposes, and two counts of using a computer to commit a crime. 

Nowicki was sentenced to prison, but he was granted parole in 2025. It is unknown where he currently resides or if he has access to children. 

Summary: Although Nowicki’s ministry career had just begun, he was removed from ministry in the Diocese of Marquette for an improper relationship with a vulnerable adult, and within two years, he was arrested after a sting operation, during which he attempted to have sex with an underage boy. 

Overseeing Authorities During Key Periods: 

Bishop John F. Doerfler of the Diocese of Marquette (2014-)

Institutional Actions and Review

In 2019, the Diocese of Marquette was made aware of Aaron Nowicki’s improper sexual relationship with a vulnerable adult. The church determined that the relationship was sexual and inappropriate, but it was not a criminal offense, nor did it involve misconduct with a minor. 

In response to this revelation, the Diocese of Marquette immediately pushed Nowicki to resign. He was also removed from public ministry following his resignation. As outlined by church law, an investigation was conducted into the matter. The diocese also referred the matter to the Office of the Attorney General in Michigan. 

In 2021, the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department announced that Nowicki was arrested following a sting operation where agents posed as underage boys on the dating app Grindr. When the church learned of these allegations, officials refused to provide legal counsel or pay for a legal representative for Nowicki’s case, thereby distancing themselves from the misconduct. Since he had already been removed from his priesthood, the church had little to do with the criminal trial. 

In 2022, the Attorney General released its report on sexually abusive priests in the Diocese of Marquette. Both Nowicki’s removal and his arrest in 2021 were mentioned in this report. The Diocese of Marquette released its own list of accused MI priests in 2022, identifying Nowicki by name.

Timeline

2016 – Nowicki was ordained in the Diocese of Marquette

2016-2019 – Nowicki was assigned to St. Peter Cathedral and St. Mary Mission

2016-2019 – At some point, Nowicki engaged in a sexual and improper relationship with a vulnerable adult

2019 – The church learned about his misconduct and pushed him to resign, removing him from public ministry

2019 – The church refers the issue to the Michigan Attorney General

2021 – A sting operation resulted in the arrest of Aaron Nowicki on four felony counts, including trying to have sex with an underage boy

2022 – Nowicki is identified in the Michigan Attorney General’s report and the list from the Diocese of Marquette for substantiated sexual abuse allegations

2023 – Nowicki is convicted and sentenced to prison

2025 – Nowicki is granted parole

Speak With an Attorney

If a priest has sexually abused you, the thought of civil action may feel overwhelming. At the Injury Lawyer Team, we believe in your right to sue the at-fault parties that have caused your suffering. Our attorneys will stand by your side as you pursue fair compensation for your legal damages. We know what it takes to build a strong claim and hold the appropriate entities accountable for sexual abuse in a church context. 

Contact us today to schedule a free and confidential consultation with a Michigan clergy abuse lawyer. 

Sources

This page is based on public records, official Church and diocesan disclosures, legal filings, and survivor reports, including:

• A profile of Aaron Nowicki on Bishop Accountability’s website
• A press release statement from the Diocese of Marquette on its response to the Nowicki conviction
• The Michigan Attorney General’s report on clergy abuse in the Diocese of Marquette
• A list of credibly accused priests from the Diocese of Marquette
• A profile of the bishops in Marquette

No criminal conviction is implied unless explicitly stated in public court records or official Church reports.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.