A 37-year-old Knoxville man is facing a stack of felony charges after Marion County investigators say they found sexual text messages between him and a 17-year-old girl, methamphetamine he allegedly gave her, and counterfeit cash hidden inside his camper. Joseph Gray was arrested on charges that include forgery, exploitation of a minor, and drug distribution and possession.
According to KNIA-KRLS, the case against Gray includes three of the most serious counts: sexual exploitation of a minor, a Class B felony; distributing drugs to a minor, also a Class B felony; and depiction of a minor in a sex act, a Class D felony. Per the criminal complaint described in that report, a Marion County sheriff's deputy observed sexual texts on Gray's device exchanged between Gray and a 17-year-old girl. The complaint also alleges that Gray provided methamphetamine to the girl.
A Traffic Stop Opens the Door
The investigation began with an October 2 traffic stop, when a Knoxville officer pulled Gray over for driving with a suspended license, according to the report. In a subsequent probable-cause search of the vehicle, officers said they found a baggie of crystalline substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine and a baggie of green leafy substance presumed to be marijuana.
The vehicle search also reportedly yielded counterfeit U.S. currency, a THC vape device, a glass smoking device consistent with a methamphetamine pipe and other drug paraphernalia. The report says those findings preceded a search of Gray's residence.
Camper Search Turns Up Counterfeit Cash and a Firearm
During an October 30 search of Gray's home, a deputy reportedly found multiple sheets of counterfeit U.S. currency, a printer, ink and other materials allegedly used to make fake bills inside the camper where Gray resides. The report also says a deputy found a firearm Gray was prohibited from owning as a convicted felon.
A search warrant for Gray's device was executed on November 5, according to the report.
What Iowa youth surveys show
According to Iowa Health & Human Services, less than 1% of Iowa students in grades 6, 8 and 11 reported using methamphetamine in the past 30 days in the 2018 Iowa Youth Survey. In a 2021 statewide survey, approximately 1% of students in those grades reported past-month use of methamphetamine or amphetamine, a combined measure, the agency reported in its 2021 survey results. The figures indicate a similarly low reported level, but the measures differ; statewide survey results do not establish facts about this case.
Gray's exact court status, including any plea or scheduled hearing, has not been reported. The allegations outlined above stem from the criminal complaint as described in the local news account and have not been independently verified.
