Worship leader exchanged 27,000 texts with teen, engaged in sex acts, Florida cops say

A 32-year-old worship leader engaged in illegal sex acts with a 16-year-old from his church, exchanging more than 27,000 texts with the teen, Florida authorities said.

Jeremiah Paul Grover was arrested following a three-month investigation into possible criminal sex offenses with a minor, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office said Oct. 24.

Grover’s attorney’s information wasn’t available in court records Oct. 25.

He was charged with sexual battery, lewd and lascivious touching, traveling to meet a minor, transmission of harmful material to minors and unlawful use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, jail records show.

At the time of the offenses, he worked at at the Oakleaf Plantation campus of Elevate Life Church, which has multiple locations in the Jacksonville area.

“When we first learned of this inappropriate behavior, some months ago, we looked into the matter and within hours determined to terminate his employment,” Pastor Mark Mellen, the chief financial officer of Elevate Life Church, said in a statement.

Staff members said they notified law enforcement and Child Protective Services upon learning of the incidents, adding there were no prior complaints against Grover. Law enforcement doesn’t believe there are other victims.

“We are heartbroken that a trusted staff member violated our church’s policies, procedures and code of conduct,” according to the church’s statement. “Our heart breaks for any person who is a victim of such abuse.”

From March to June, Grover arranged meetups with the teen in Clay County and Duval County, where he “engaged in sexual criminal conduct,” deputies said in an arrest affidavit.

In a six-month period, they exchanged 27,633 messages, some of which involved “lewd content,” according to investigators.

The investigation, which began in June, ended in Grover’s arrest Oct. 24. He’s being held on a bond of $325,015, records show.

The Jacksonville church said it conducts background checks, employment screenings, volunteer vetting and safety trainings.

“Elevate Life has made it a top priority to not only provide spiritual care but also provide safe environments for anyone attending our services or events,” Mellen said on behalf of the church.

This story was originally published October 25, 2024 at 2:26 PM with the headline "Worship leader exchanged 27,000 texts with teen, engaged in sex acts, Florida cops say."