Derek Bailey (tribal chairman)

Derek J. Bailey (1972 – September 8, 2021[1][2]) served as Tribal Chairman of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (GTB) beginning in 2008. He also served prior on Tribal Council from 2004 to 2008. On October 1, 2011, Bailey announced his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives in Michigan's 1st congressional district. During April 2012, Bailey ended his Congressional campaign effort and moved into Michigan's State House race for the 101st District (Leelanau, Benzie, Manistee and Mason counties). On May 11, 2015, he was arrested on child molestation charges.[3] Bailey was sentenced to 25 to 50 years after being found guilty in Grand Traverse County of two counts of first degree criminal sexual conduct in April 2016. He was also sentenced to ten to 15 years after being found guilty in Leelanau County of two counts of second degree criminal sexual conduct in November 2015. Bailey was to serve his sentence concurrently. Bailey had a credit of 360 days.[4]

Early life and education

Bailey was a native of Traverse City, Michigan, and grew up there and in neighboring Leelanau County.[5] He earned a bachelor's degree in psychology in 1995 and a master's degree in social work in 1998, both from Grand Valley State University.[6][7]

Career

Tribal service

Bailey began serving as the fifth GTB Tribal Chairman in November 2008.[8][9] Bailey received a Presidential Appointment by President Obama to the National Advisory Council on Indian Education, and was sworn in on November 3, 2010.[10] He resigned from the tribal council in July 2015.[11][12][13]

Congressional campaign

On October 1, 2011, Bailey announced his intention to run for U.S. Representative for Michigan's newly redrawn 1st congressional district. He was to run as a Democrat in the primary against Gary McDowell, a state representative who lost in the general election in 2010 against first-time candidate Dan Benishek.[5] In April 2012 he changed plans and instead decided to run for the state house of Representatives.[14] Bailey was narrowly defeated in the primary by Bernard "Allen" O'Shea.[15]

Personal life

In 2012, he was married and lived in Benzie County.[7] Also according to an article in 2012, Bailey has two sons and two step-daughters.[16]

In May 2015, Bailey was charged with multiple counts of child molestation in Leelanau County.[17][18] In August 2015, he was charged with more sex offenses in Grand Traverse County.[19][20][21] Bailey was sentenced to 25 to 50 years after being found guilty in Grand Traverse County of two counts of first degree criminal sexual conduct in April 2016. He was also sentenced to ten to 15 years after being found guilty in Leelanau County of two counts of second degree criminal sexual conduct in November 2015. Bailey was to serve his sentence concurrently. Bailey had a credit of 360 days.[22]

Death

On September 2, 2021, Bailey was found unresponsive in his prison cell and later pronounced dead on September 8, 2021. He is believed to have succumbed to a cardiac issue. He was 48.[23]

References

  1. ^ "Grand Traverse Band bio of Bailey". Archived from the original on 2011-10-24. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
  2. ^ "Former tribal leader dies in prison at 48". Yahoo! News. 11 September 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  3. ^ "Tribal Councilor Derek Bailey arrested on sex charges". WGTU. 13 May 2015. Archived from the original on 1 August 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  4. ^ "Derek Bailey sentenced to prison for sex crimes in two counties". 2 May 2016.
  5. ^ a b Associated Press, September 30, 2011
  6. ^ "Success Story: Alumnus advises tribal education - Grand Valley State University". gvsu.edu. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  7. ^ a b Jordan Travis (January 19, 2012). "Bailey to seek US 1st seat". The Alpena News. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
  8. ^ "news article". Archived from the original on 2011-06-08. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
  9. ^ George Weeks (4 September 2011). "Tribal leader may run". Traverse City Record-Eagle. p. B1.
  10. ^ "National Advisory Council on Indian Education - OIE". ed.gov. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  11. ^ "Bailey resigns from tribal council". Traverse City Record-Eagle. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  12. ^ "Derek Bailey Resigns From Tribal Council". 9&10 News. 9 July 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  13. ^ "Tribal Councilor Derek Bailey resigns while jailed on criminal sex charges". WGTU. 9 July 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  14. ^ April 2012 announcement of change in election plans[permanent dead link‍]
  15. ^ "Duke's Volunteer wins 101st House Seat nomination - Arcadia Wind Study Group". Arcadia Wind Study Group. Archived from the original on 19 December 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  16. ^ "Northern Michigan Tribal Chairman Derek Bailey Runs for Congress". Traverse. 6 January 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  17. ^ "Trial Dates Set for Derek Bailey". Traverse City Ticker. 30 June 2015. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  18. ^ "Tribal Councilor Derek Bailey arrested on sex charges". WGTU. 13 May 2015. Archived from the original on 1 August 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  19. ^ "Former tribal councilor faces additional sex assault charges in Northern Michigan". MLive.com. 21 August 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  20. ^ Chris Clor (20 August 2015). "Former Tribal Council Member Derek Bailey Charged With More Sex - Northern Michigan's News Leader". 9&10 News. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  21. ^ Morgan Springer (20 August 2015). "More sex crime charges for Native American leader". Interlochen Public Radio. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  22. ^ "Derek Bailey sentenced to prison for sex crimes in two counties". 2 May 2016.
  23. ^ "Former Tribal Leader Derek Bailey, 48, Passes Away".
Preceded by Chairman of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians
2008 – 2012 		Succeeded by