Houston-based touring veterinarian arrested in Florida, charged with a sexual battery of a teen lady, officers say

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A touring veterinarian based mostly in Houston was charged with sexual battery of a minor. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office stated it arrested 52-year-old Gregory Ford in Florida on Wednesday.

According to legislation enforcement, {the teenager} stated she had a sexual relationship whereas she was touring with Ford, a veterinarian who offers companies throughout the nation.

A federal affidavit claimed in August, the teenager’s mom filed a report with the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department in Alabama about her daughter having a sexual relationship with Ford. According to the mom, when her daughter turned 15 years previous, she started working with Ford at his veterinary follow.

The affidavit described Ford as a touring veterinarian specializing in efficiency horse care. It stated his follow is predicated out of Houston, however that he travels to reveals, races, occasions and residential visits throughout a number of states, together with Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Texas, Missouri, Alabama, and Mississippi.

The teen’s mom allegedly stated she went via her daughter’s cellphone and located sexually express texts between the teenager and Ford, the place they mentioned plans to have intercourse.

The daughter was additionally interviewed by the sheriff’s workplace and allegedly admitted she and Ford had intercourse three or 4 instances and despatched nude photographs to one another. The affidavit claimed the photographs have been despatched whereas she was dwelling in Alabama and Ford was in numerous states for work.

After that police report was made, Ford allegedly despatched a threatening message to the mom. Court data stated a month later, Ford despatched the teenager’s mom a message that learn, “If you choose to continue your crusade, I have already paid a dear friend from the CIA to long rifle a bullet in your chest.”

On the identical day, the affidavit claimed Ford additionally left the teenager a voicemail as effectively. He allegedly stated issues like, “I dated, I married, and I never knew true love, and how special a heart could be until I met yours.”

On Sept. 23, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office stated it arrested Ford after receiving data from an FBI agent about an incident of sexual abuse with the teenager at Ford’s residence in Marion County.

The sheriff’s workplace stated he was positioned below arrest and brought to jail, the place he stays with out bond. According to on-line jail data, Ford is due in courtroom on Sunday morning.

Because of the touring nature of his occupation, legislation enforcement stated they consider there could also be extra victims throughout the nation. Anyone with details about different potential victims is requested to contact the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.