Local Video
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| Commitment for former youth pastor |
By: SUZANNE ROOK, Managing Editor
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Posted: Tuesday, December 8, 2009 11:48 pm
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NORTHFIELD — A former youth pastor convicted of sexually assaulting a preteen boy almost a decade ago has been labeled as sexually dangerous and committed to a state facility.
Third District Court Judge Bernard Borene approved the civil commitment of Grant Junior Grayson Nov. 25, Rice County Attorney Paul Beaumaster said Tuesday, making the years- long process final.
Grayson, 42, worked at the Northfield Alliance Church, now Cornerstone Community Church, in the late 1990s when he was charged with criminal sexual conduct involving a 12-year-old who he took to his home and on church trips. After serving his sentence, Grayson twice violated his probation, once for being alone with boys under 18.
Beaumaster, who oversaw Grayson’s civil commitment in conjunction with the Department of Corrections and Minnesota Attorney General’s office, said he recommended Grayson for commitment because he believed that if released, Grayson would be a danger to the community in which he lived. Beaumaster also cited the number of Grayson’s victims, the severity of his conduct and his inability to stay away from young boys even when required to do so for seeking commitment.
During the civil commitment process, it was revealed that several other young boys had suffered sexual abuse at Grayson’s hands, though Grayson has not been convicted of those crimes. Evidence of criminal acts is admissible in commitments hearings, even if a conviction has not been obtained.
Before offenders are committed, they undergo psychiatric evaluations and have several hearings before a judge who weighs the recommendations put before him.
Once a commitment is final, sexually dangerous persons receive treatment and cannot be released until they can demonstrate they are no longer a danger and in need of treatment.
Beaumaster says he’s satisfied with the outcome and rests easy knowing Grayson has been committed.
“I’m pleased that I won’t have to explain to another victim why (Grayson) is back on the streets. These are people that need help, they’re being civilly committed because they can’t control themselves." |
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I hope now, all the other victims will come forward. All these boys need to get some help, and the first step is to admit what was done to them. Unfortunately some parents prevented them from doing this. These parents also tried to protect Grant, and refused to believe the truth. SHAME ON THESE PARENTS!
Thank you Judge Borene for putting this predator where he belongs. Hopefully, he'll be there for a long time.