Potosi Man Convicted of Sexual Abuse, Which He Committed While on Parole

Washington Co., Mo. (KFMO) - On Thursday, November 7, Christopher M. Grimes was found guilty of two counts sexual abuse in the first degree in connection with his April 2024 assault of a fourteen-year-old girl. The victim testified about Grimes’s assault— two incidences of forcible sexual contact over the clothes. In the first incident Grimes grabbed the unsuspecting girl’s hand and forced her to touch his genitals, and she was able to pull away. In the second incident, which occurred a few minutes later, Grimes grabbed the victim, pulled her onto his lap, and forcibly groped her genitals. Washington County First Assistant Prosecutor Caleb J. Aponte argued that Grimes used speed and surprise to force the victim into unwanted sexual contact and urged the jury to send a message that in Washington County, forcing young girls into unwanted sexual contact will not be tolerated. 

After hearing evidence and argument presented by Aponte, the jury deliberated for approximately forty minutes before returning their unanimous guilty verdicts. The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on January 27, 2025, and faces up to thirty years in prison due to being a persistent felony offender.

“The jury in this case did an outstanding job holding the defendant accountable for his actions. Child sexual abuse has no place in our society, and Washington County’s citizens have sent a clear message that this kind of predatory behavior is not welcome in our community,” said Jones. “I am proud of my office’s Project Millstone, through which Caleb Aponte has done extraordinary work to stop child predators. I’m grateful to the 
Potosi Police Department, particularly Patrolmen Eric Nelson and Matt Coffman, Sergeant Lauren Adams, and Detective Aaron Harvey for their excellent investigation in this case. And most importantly we could not have done anything without the help of the courageous victim in this case and her family. She is the real hero here.”