Ex-Houston police officer found guilty of aggravated sex assault of woman in 2011

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A jury Thursday afternoon handed down a guilty verdict in the rape trial of a former Houston police officer.

Jurors deliberated for a total of about eight hours before finding former HPD officer Abraham Joseph guilty on two counts of aggravated sexual assault -- the most serious of three possible charges he faced.

"We the jury find the defendant Abraham Joseph guilty of aggravated sexual assault by a public servant," read the judge.

The jury's verdict is a victory for Joseph's victim, who had difficulty containing her emotions. We spoke with her through a translator outside the courtroom.

"I just told the truth," she said.

On the other side of the courtroom, an equally emotional woman, Abraham Joseph's wife, buried her head sobbed. Her husband, a former Houston police officer, is now a convicted felon. In January 2011, prosecutors say Joseph raped a cantina waitress while he was on duty and in uniform. A second woman testified during the trial he did the same thing to her.

"I think the judge's decision to allow this witness was appropriate. This person's incident with the officer was very similar to the case, remarkably similar," said KTRK Legal Analyst Joel Androphy.

In all, jurors deliberated for seven and a half hours. They had two legal questions about DNA evidence and the definition of aggravated sexual assault. They also asked to see five pieces of evidence. All signs that could have appeared to favor the defense.

In the end, jurors believed the victim's story. She proclaimed her thanks.

"I am very pleased because justice has been made," she said.

Jurors were asked to consider three different types of charges: aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, or improper sexual activity with someone in custody.

There are five women and seven men on this jury and their work is not done as they've moved into the punishment phase.

Joseph faces five years to life in prison on each count, and he could be eligible for parole.

So far during the punishment phase, jurors heard from three more cantina waitresses who say Joseph sexually assaulted them as well.

Stay with Eyewitness News and abc13.com for the latest in this case.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Gospel musician accused of aggravated sexual assault of child

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A gospel musician who has performed at various churches in our area has been arrested for sexually assaulting a young girl. The alleged assault happened at the Zion Watchtower Baptist Church in Richmond.

According to the arrest warrant, a 13-year-old girl states that 42-year-old Rodney Marcus Grimsley, a guitar player who would perform at churches around Fort Bend and Harris counties, assaulted her. It allegedly happened between services last Sunday. He saw the girl, according to investigators, standing outside with other children.

Chief Deputy Craig Brady of the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office said, "They were outside playing. He struck up a conversation with her and got her to go back inside the facility for a few minutes and that was enough."

The warrant states that the she followed him into a room inside the church where the alleged assault took place. Afterward, Grimsley and the girl are said to have exchanged cell phone numbers. Then came the Facebook chats with Grimsley, which the girl's mother discovered.

"The mother picked up on some of the conduct that she was doing on Facebook and inappropriate comments, and that's when she got involved and notified us," Brady said.

Grimsley was arrested Wednesday night at his home. He has children of his own, according to the sheriff's office. And according to the chief deputy, he didn't deny the allegation.

"Mr. Grimsley has admitted his actions involving the girl," Brady said. "He has confessed to the offense and is currently incarcerated on $175,000 bond."

But Grimsley's fiance, Monica Allen, says she's been with him for nine years and can't believe the allegations.

"Rodney is always talking about God and he's always willing to help somebody," she said. "He's that person that if you are stuck on the street, he's going to pull over and help you."

Allen says she hasn't talked to him since he was arrested, so she is waiting to hear from him.

"I pray for him, wherever he is. If he is seeing this, I pray the angels protect you and I pray that God reveals the truth," she said.

Investigators are asking parents who attend churches where Grimsley may have performed to talk to their children to see if there may be other cases.

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

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Man wanted in aggravated robbery of smoke shop

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The search is on for a suspect in an aggravated robbery at an area smoke shop.

On January 23 at approximately 11:40pm, authorities say a black male suspect committed an aggravated robbery at a smoke shop located on the 5200 block of Easthampton in north Harris County. The suspect entered the store and inquired about the purchase of a scale. As a store employee approached the counter, the suspect withdrew a pistol and demanded cash from the registers.

The victim, in fear for his life, complied with the suspect's demands and surrendered an undisclosed amount of cash. Additionally, the suspect filled a plastic bag with several boxes of tobacco products and weight scales. He ordered the store employees to lay face down as he fled the scene in a maroon, four-door Toyota.

The suspect is described was a black male, approximately 20-25 years old, around 5 foot 7, weighing 160-180 lbs. He had a goatee and a clear stone earring. At the time of the offense, the suspect wore a gray colored hoodie with black/white/red stripes, jeans and tennis shoes.

Surveillance cameras captured the offense taking place.

Anyone with information about the identity of the suspect(s) is asked to contact Crime Stoppers of Houston at 713-222-TIPS (8477).

Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for any information called in to the 713-222-TIPS (8477) or submitted online at www.crime-stoppers.org that leads to the filing of felony charges or arrest of the suspect(s) in this case. Tips can also be sent by text message. Text TIP610 plus your tip to CRIMES (274637). All tipsters remain anonymous.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Crime Tracker »

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N. Harris Co. aggravated robbery caught on camera

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Investigators are asking for the public's help to find the man they say is responsible for an aggravated robbery at a north Harris County business.

On January 10 at around 2:45pm, a man entered a beauty supply store in the 5200 block of Aldine Mail Route. Investigators say the suspect walked through the store and eventually approached the counter.

That's when the suspect pulled a knife out and demanded all the cash from the registers. The victim complied and the suspect fled in a dark colored four door passenger vehicle.

The suspect is described as an Hispanic male between 25 and 35 years old. He's between 5-foot-4 and 5-foot-7 and weighs between 150 and 180 pounds with a medium build. At the time of the offense, the suspect was wearing a dark colored heavy jacket with silver buttons, a gray hooded sweatshirt, sunglasses, jeans and dirty light shoes.

Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for any information called in to the 713-222-TIPS (8477) or submitted online at http://www.crime-stoppers.org/ that leads to the filing of felony charges or arrest of the suspect in this case. Tips can also be sent by text message. Text TIP610 plus your tip to CRIMES (274637). All tipsters remain anonymous.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Aggravated robbery captured on surveillance video

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Your help is needed to catch a man behind an aggravated robbery at a northwest Harris County gas station last month.

It happened on December 21 at around 2:20am. A single suspect entered the gas station in the 7000 block of West FM 1960. Once inside, he approached the counter brandishing a gun.

Investigators say the suspect demanded cash and gave the employee five seconds to give him the money in the register.

The store clerk complied, and then before leaving, the suspect also demanded for a pack of cigarettes before taking off on foot.

The suspect is described as an African-American male, approximately 25 years old. He stands 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-8 and weighs between 175 and 180 pounds. He has a think beard and sideburns.

Anyone with information about the identity of the suspectis asked to contact Crime Stoppers of Houston at (713) 222-TIPS (8477). You'll be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000 and will remain anonymous.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Man shot by officer outside funeral home faces aggravated assault charges

Jerome Barrera Jr., 25, faces aggravated assault charges.

  SOUTH HOUSTON, TX (KTRK) -- A suspect shot by an off-duty police officer faces aggravated assault charges.

SkyEye 13 HD was over the scene outside a South Houston funeral home last month. Investigators say officers working security spotted Jerome Barrera, Jr. pointing a gun at people in the 1500 block of Houston Boulevard. Barrera refused to drop the gun and turned towards the officers. That's when one officer opened fire.

Barrera, 25, was hit in the chest and taken to the hospital.

He has a prior conviction of delivery of a controlled substance back in 2007.

Bond has been set at $50,000 on the aggravated assault charge.

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