A Sand Springs pastor who once worked in local schools is now on the other side of a criminal case. City police say the man was arrested Monday on one count of sexual battery after a months-long investigation into alleged inappropriate conduct involving a child.
Detectives described the probe as stretching over several months and said it focused on reports of troubling behavior involving an adult and a minor.
According to OKC Fox, the Sand Springs Police Department says the investigation started in November 2025 after a Department of Human Services referral flagged suspicious interactions between an adult and a child. The outlet reports that investigators interviewed the alleged victim earlier this month, and that the information provided in that interview led to Monday's arrest.
Public school records tie the suspect directly to local campuses. According to Sand Springs Public Schools, 42-year-old Marcus Owens previously worked for the district in several roles, including security officer, teacher's assistant, paraprofessional and substitute. Board minutes show his resignation as a security officer was recorded as effective April 17, 2023, and that he served on district safety committees during his time with the schools.
Pastor With Local Ties
Owens also held a visible role in local faith circles. Public nonprofit filings list him as the director of a Sand Springs-registered group called Prepared Church, according to CauseIQ. That position placed him in community programs outside his school duties. The same filings list a local PO Box address for the organization.
Federal And Tribal Review
Because Owens is a tribal citizen, the Sand Springs Police Department said the case will be forwarded to the FBI and the Muscogee Creek Nation for review. Detectives also urged any other potential victims to reach out to law enforcement.
Police noted that Owens had been involved in his church for many years and had regular access to children through those roles, according to OKC Fox.
What The Charge Means
Owens was booked on one count of sexual battery. Under Oklahoma law, sexual battery is defined as intentional lewd touching and is treated as a felony. The statutes include added protections when the alleged victim is a student or someone in a school's custody. The full statutory language and related provisions are detailed in the Oklahoma session laws.
Investigators have asked anyone with information to contact local authorities. The city website lists the Sand Springs Police Department as the point of contact for tips and reports, and Sand Springs City maintains the department's contact details online.
