Church Musician Accused of Sexually Assaulting Teen

Click2Houston
May 25, 2012

http://www.click2houston.com/news/Church-musician-accused-of-sexually-assaulting-teen/-/1735978/14154214/-/6q2harz/-/index.html

[with video]

Marcus Grimsley accused of assaulting teen at Zion Watchtower Baptist Church

A church musician has been accused of committing a crime inside a Fort Bend County church.

Marcus Grimsley, 42, has been charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child.

Fort Bend County sheriff's deputies said Grimsley was playing guitar in a band at the Zion Watchtower Baptist Church, 606 F.M. 359, in Richmond on Sunday.

In between services, Grimsely spotted a 13-year-old girl playing outside with friends, detectives said.

"He struck up a conversation with her and got her to go back inside the facility for a few minutes," Chief Deputy Craig Brady said.

According to court documents, the teen told investigators that Grimsley "asked for a hug and she gave him a hug." Investigators said Grimsley then kissed the teen.

"They started in the main area of the church, and, as things got a little more involved, they moved to a secluded room within the facility," Brady said.

Detectives said Grimsley sexually assaulted the teen in a back room of the church.

Investigators said Grimsley contacted the teen through Facebook, where he posted pictures of himself playing the guitar.

Brady said Grimsely also sent the girl text messages. He tried to get the girl to meet with him again and asked her to send him pictures of certain body parts, investigators said.

The teen's family found the messages and called detectives, officials said.

Deputies said Grimsley has confessed.

Brady said detectives don't have evidence that Grimsley has had similar encounters with other children, but they asked parents of children who attend church where Grimsley has played to talk with their children to make sure there was not any inappropriate contact.

Grimsley is married with children. According to court records, he was previously charged with aggravated robbery and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Deputies said they arrested Grimsley on Wednesday on outstanding traffic warrants in Friendswood, Texas. He is also facing three misdemeanor charges of invalid driver's license, no proof of insurance and failure to appear in Fresno, Texas.

Grimsley is being held in the Fort Bend County Jail with bond set at $175,000.