PANAMA CITY — Prosecutors have abandoned charges that a former Panama City Beach pastor delivered a controlled substance to a minor in an attempt to seduce her, according to court documents.
Also, a related charge of battery against Markus Quin Bishop, 54, was downgraded to a misdemeanor, and he was sentenced Thursday to serve 12 months on probation.
Bishop, former pastor of Faith Christian Family Church in Panama City Beach, was arrested in September after he allegedly provided a 16-year-old girl marijuana in an attempt to intoxicate her before professing his love and kissing her against her will, according to his arrest affidavit. The two were at Bishop’s home alone when he offered marijuana to the minor before suggesting they go swimming, investigators with the Bay County Sheriff’s Office reported.
“The victim/child said she was extremely ‘high’ but agreed,” their report stated.
According to police reports, the minor became uncomfortable with Bishop’s advances in a hot tub and exited, so he suggested they get in the pool. After moving from the hot tub to the pool, Bishop took a flotation device from the minor and placed his hands on her lower back, guiding her around the pool, investigators reported.
Bishop then began kissing the waist area of the minor. She exited the pool in an attempt to get away from Bishop, but he followed. Bishop walked up to her and began kissing her on the mouth against her will, police said.
Prosecutors abandoned charges earlier in the week of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and delivery of controlled substance to minor by an adult.
Prosecutors also downgraded the charge of felony battery to a misdemeanor. In addition to 12 months probation, he was ordered to undergo random drug screenings, according to court documents.