Local Teacher and Actor Charged With Sexual Assault Of A Child
A 31-year-old Waco Civic Theatre actor has been charged with sexual assault of a child in connection with alleged incidents involving a 16-year-old actress with whom he worked on a show.
Reporter: By Paul J. Gately and Eli Ross
Email Address: paul.gately@kwtx.com eli.ross@kwtx.com
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Teacher Arrested, Charged with Sexual Assault of Child
WACO (December 21, 2010)--Waco Civic Theatre actor Clifton Grasham-Reeves, 31, was arrested early Monday and charged with one count of indecency with sexual contact with a child and five counts of sexual assault of a child in alleged incidents involving a 16-year-old Civic Theatre actress with whom he had worked on a show.
Grasham-Reeves was arrested early Monday morning in the 1300 block of Crestline in Bellmead, police said.
He was booked into the McLennan County Jail Monday night, but was later released after posting a $300,000 bond.
According to the affidavit submitted for the arrest warrant, Grasham-Reeves texted the 16-year-old actress on Feb. 5 that his wife was out of town and that he wanted the girl to sneak out of her house.
Police say Grasham-Reeves picked the girl her up at about midnight and took her back to his home on Hermanson Drive, the affidavit said.
The affidavit says the two met several other times that month, and that Grasham-Reeves provided the girl with alcoholic beverages.
The Waco Civic Theatre issued a statement Tuesday that confirmed that Grasham-Reeves and the girl worked on a show together.
“It is our understanding that none of the accusations involved any theater functions, the statement said.
“Nonetheless, we have asked Mr. Clifton Grasham-Reeves to not take part in any theatre activities until this matter is cleared up."
Grasham-Reeves taught at Waco’s Harmony Science Academy until about six weeks ago, the school’s principal Erol Kose said Tuesday evening.
Kose said that after he learned of the allegations, he placed Grasham-Reeves on administrative leave without pay.
Kose said Grasham-Reeves told him in a phone conversation that the allegation was unfounded.
Kose said he found out about the arrest on Tuesday, and said Grasham-Reeves has been terminated from the school.
Kose says Grasham-Reeves taught eighth grade and high school English.
"I'm really sad to hear such an arrest, especially for a teacher. I'm very surprised, he was always professional." Kose said.
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My child was a student at the Gulen Harmony Science Academy School in Texas, we served on the Parent Association and were involved with many fundraisers. Gulen Charter School- We were very dedicated to this group until we realized there was more to these schools than just "education". Our posts are from actual news sources and government data such as IRS tax returns, H1-B Visa information and other documentation.
Evidently the evidence is overwhelming there are text messages and other incriminating things. In Texas we are dubbing him "the Wacko from Waco"
ReplyDeleteI currently reside in Waco and while I am aware of this story, I have yet to hear of him being referred to as "the Wacko from Waco". Honestly, there are many others (David Koresh,Carlton Dotson, etc.) who are more deserving of the title. Additionally, unlike most countries, our judicial system allows one to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. Thus, put down the torches and pitchforks and wait until he is declared guilty before hanging the "Wacko from Waco"
ReplyDeleteAnonymous; (Merhaba)
ReplyDeleteWe obviously reside in another area of Texas than you. He is considered "innocent" until proven guilty but it isn't looking too good for Mr. Graham-Reeves but even worse on the faulty decision making and background checks of teachers at Harmony Science Academy. This reflects poorly on their methods, including the over 1,300 h1-b "employees" that have little or no background checks as well as little or NONE teaching experience.
I my self am a Harmony PARENT in Waco. And the school does have a real safe environment for both the students and parents. I help a lot at the school and my children are involved in several after school activities. I have the freedom to stop by during any if such after school activities and I haven't seen anything bad going on. Like I said I help a lot and even my self had to get a background check in order to be admitted in the school during the day when regular classes are going on. The teacher are all qualified for their teaching job. Yes not all are born American. But that to me is more of a Racism matter. yes what Mr. Grasham-Reeves did is wrong and should be punished for. But I think both him and the parents are at fault because what is your daughter doing sneaking up at midnight and you not noticing or drinking alcohol and not noticing either?? We as parents should be the first ones to protect our children and take time from our busy schedules to listen and talk with them... And remember it wasn't a Harmony student. So let's not judge all the other great Teachers there. But pray for the girl. After all she's the only victim even if she did things she shouldn't have at that age.
ReplyDelete