By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
More people have told authorities they were victims of 81-year-old Aubrey Neal Grimes, who is charged with taking indecent liberties with a child.
Rowan County Sheriff George Wilhelm said Tuesday morning additional charges are pending against Grimes.
Officials plan to present the case to a grand jury, which is scheduled to meet Dec. 1.
Wilhelm said a 65-year-old man who lived in High Point came forward with accusations, saying Grimes molested him 50 years ago. Grimes was charged more than 20 years ago in a High Point case, and now he could face more charges.
“There are no statute of limitations on a felony,” Wilhelm said.
First-degree sex offense with a child and indecent liberties are felony charges.
Grimes faces two counts of first-degree sex offense with an 8-year-old and one count of indecent liberties. He could face the same charges for any subsequent victims.
In addition to the 8-year-old he is charged with assaulting, two more boys have given statements to investigators. Wilhelm would not confirm the boys’ ages.
Officials are asking other victims or anyone with information to contact Sgt. Chad Moose at 704-216-8687 or Detective Jason Whitley at 704-216-8712.
Wilhelm said if other victims come forward, “We are willing to prosecute.”
The 65-year-old man, whose name is not being released, contacted law enforcement to say he too had been a victim.
In 1987, Grimes was convicted in Guilford County for taking indecent liberties with a child.
His conviction came at a time when the N.C. sex offender registry was not in use. The registry became available in July 1996.
Grimes, who many know as “Pops,” has volunteered for years with Little League baseball in eastern Rowan County.
A parent filed a report in the case of an 8-year-old boy, who was not associated with Little League.
The incidents occurred in 2007 at Grimes’ Ashford Circle home in Salisbury.
Brent Houpe, president of the East Rowan Little League, confirmed the only relationship Grimes had with the league was to operate the electronic scoreboard. He also recorded scores from the games.
Houpe said Little League International’s policy on background checks did not apply to Grimes, who volunteered and did not directly work with any of the children.
“The Little League International requires a background check on all official board members, coaches and umpires who have direct contact with the kids on the field during practices and games,” he said.
Grimes also helped open the concession stands when others could not arrive early enough to do so, Houpe said.
“The concession stands don’t have direct contact with the kids. He falls under the same category as parents. They volunteer, but it is not required to have background checks on those individuals,” he said.
A change in policy would have to be made by Little League International, Houpe said. He said he could not predict if the League would amend the policy in light of Grimes’ arrest.
Little League International is headquartered in Williamsport, Pa.
A concession stand at the East Rowan ball field in Faith is named for Grimes.
A 2003 Post article noted Grimes helped maintain the facility in Faith by dragging the field, cleaning the bathrooms and grill room, picking up trash and sweeping the grandstand.
Grimes suffered two heart attacks in the 1970s and a stroke in May 2002, the Post article said.
Houpe said he wants to make sure people understand that authorities have made no indication that any of the incidents took place at any location other than Grimes’ residence.
Grimes remains in the Rowan County Detention Center under $100,000 secured bond.
A first appearance hearing was held Monday. Grimes requested a court-appointed attorney. His next court date is slated for Nov. 26.