A 72-year-old man has been taken into custody on charges of aggravated sexual battery and sexual exploitation of a minor, following a report from Google and a subsequent investigation by Juvenile Sexual Assault detectives. The suspect, Marcus Hogins, was identified as the individual who uploaded sexually explicit images of minors to his Google Pictures account.
According to a statement by the Nashville Police Department, during questioning, Hogins confessed to owning the account in question and acknowledged having a sexual attraction to children. In addition to the cyber-related accusations, Hogins also faced scrutiny over physical misconduct that purportedly took place at his place of worship, Antioch Church of Christ.
The church, located at 2142 Antioch Pike, was the alleged setting for repeated instances of inappropriate behavior by Hogins towards a young member. The victim, now 17-years-old, reported enduring unwanted hugging and groping from the ages of 10 to 15. The abuse, which went undisclosed for some time, only came to light when the girl confided in her mother and church officials.
Hogins, now held on a $40,000 bond, must contend with the weight of his admissions and the evidentiary trail that led to his charges. The Nashville Police Department urges anyone with knowledge of Hogins' inappropriate actions, to contact their Youth Services Division at 615-862-7417. The implications of his purported transgressions against the innocence of youth weigh heavily, on a community striving to uphold the sanctity of trust within its sacred spaces.
