An 89-year-old Booneville man is facing a grooming charge after investigators say he exchanged sexual communications with a 15-year-old girl who attended his church. Court records identify the suspect as John Arthur Gray. He is being held in the Dallas County Jail on a $5,000 cash or surety bond and is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing later this month.
How the probe began
According to The Perry News, the investigation opened Nov. 5 after a pastor at a Johnston church raised concerns about Gray’s interactions with the 15-year-old, who is reported to attend the same congregation. The outlet reports that court records show deputies sought a search warrant, which was approved and carried out on Nov. 20.
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