He moved with his family into the Westminster Highlands subdivision of Westminster less than a year ago, so many people probably didn't really know Eric Wayne Grinder, nor could they have suspected his dark secret.
"On Tuesday, March 21st, Eric Wayne Grinder, a 35-year-old male from Westminster, was arrested on a warrant by detectives with the Carroll County Advocacy and Investigation Center,” said Cpl. Jon Light, “This arrest stems from their investigation into an alleged child sexual abuse case."
In November, a woman reported that Grinder had been sexually abusing her 10-year-old daughter.
According to charging documents, in the months that followed, investigators determined the abuse began two years ago, and it appears Grinder used some of the mother's medication to drug the child.
When the mother became suspicious and asked her daughter if the suspect had done anything to her, she said he had threatened to shoot both of them if she ever talked.
Later on in the investigation, the girl revealed that Grinder had shot cell phone video of her performing a sex act and had viewed it on a television.
Police later discovered a picture consistent with her account along with some other child porn on his computer.
"He has been charged with sexual abuse of a minor, sexual abuse of a minor continuing course of conduct, assault-second degree, distribution on controlled dangerous substances and a possession of child pornography charge,” said Light, “As of today's date, he remains held at the Carroll County Detention Center without bail."
If he's convicted on all of those counts, Grinder could face a combined 75 years behind bars.
