By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
TAYLOR — An examination of charges against a Taylor man accused of dozens of sexual crimes was delayed until next month to allow his attorney time to review the evidence.
Bennie Ray Grimes, 67, was arraigned on April 11 before 23rd District Court Judge William Sutherland on 35 counts of criminal sexual conduct and activities committed against four teen girls currently aged 13 to 15. Defense attorney Susan Reed requested postponement on Monday of a schedule preliminary examination.
Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor Maria Miller said the request was acceptable to the prosecutor’s office.
“Defense counsel asked for an adjournment,” Miller said. “She needed an opportunity to review the discovery material.”
Grimes had been taken into custody following a police investigation that began April 7, when Melvindale police officers received a complaint from one of the alleged victims. Investigators said Grimes had sexually assaulted, photographed and videotaped the girls at his Taylor home on Beech Daly Road.
According to court records, charges against Grimes include 15 counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, three of which involved a person under the age of 13; four counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct; and five counts of using a computer to commit a crime.
First-degree criminal sexual conduct is punishable by life in prison; using a computer to commit a crime is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
Grimes also was charged with seven counts of child sexually abusive commercial activity stemming from video and photographic images Grimes allegedly had made of the girls. Reportedly, Grimes met the teens through a relative. Court records indicate the crimes may have begun in 2011.
Grimes remained in custody without bond. The preliminary examination is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. May 21 before Sutherland.
(James Mitchell can be reached at [email protected].)