Police: Man may have groomed girl before sexual assault

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — Huntersville Police say a man may have groomed a 13-year-old girl before sexually assaulting her.

Eyewitness News uncovered new details about the allegations in a search warrant filed in Mecklenburg County court after John Michael Turner's arrest March 24.

In the search warrant, the victim told detectives Turner had sexted her and flirted with her, and continued to text her after the assaults -- even on the day he was arrested.

Police said Turner first approached the victim when she was petting his dog.

"According to the victim, she was outside of his residence when he came out," Deputy Chief Michael Kee said.

Kee said the victim told detectives Turner then grabbed her arm and pulled her inside his house, where he forcibly raped her.

Days later, police said the girl was walking through the neighborhood when Turner pulled up in his SUV.

"She alleged she was forced into the vehicle and he drove her to a park within the neighborhood and that's when the second assault occurred," Kee said.

Police said one of the victim's family member uncovered information about the incidents through text messages they discovered on her cellphone.

Police are now warning other parents about the importance of closely monitoring their children's activities.

"I would encourage parents to monitor cellphone activity of kids ... It's just tragic when things like this occur," Kee said.

Turner, who is self-employed, remains in jail on a $200,000 bond. He is facing four counts of statutory rape.

WSOC