PANAMA CITY — The former pastor of a Panama City Beach church is in jail again after allegedly giving a 16-year-old marijuana and then forcing sexual advances upon the minor, according to court documents.
Markus Quin Bishop, 54, was arrested Tuesday and charged with delivering a controlled substance to a minor and felony battery. The charges stem from a Sept. 11 incident when Bishop and the minor were alone at his Fox Run Boulevard home, according to police. Bishop also was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Attorneys for Bishop said that because he is a longstanding member of the community, he should have a bond of $17,500. But during his first appearance Wednesday prosecutors argued Bishop’s prior conviction for domestic battery demanded a larger bond, which was set at $35,000.
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On Sept. 11, Bishop allegedly provided the minor with 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 the 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, police allege. Bishop walked up to her and began kissing her on the mouth, according to BCSO’s investigation.
A warrant was issued for Bishop’s arrest Tuesday, and he surrendered himself the same day, officials said.
The former pastor of Faith Christian Family Church in Panama City Beach, Bishop has a previous history of battery. He was sentenced to a year of probation January 2009 after he punched his wife in the eye. During an argument, Bishop charged his wife in their gated home on Preserve Bay Boulevard and she threw a drink in his face out of fear before he struck her in the left eye.
Bishop pleaded no contest to the domestic battery charge. He authored a letter of apology to his wife, and the probation was terminated after six months.
Bishop was the senior pastor of Faith Christian Family Church until it folded in 2012 amidst financial turmoil. The church filed bankruptcy in June of that year. He’s also an internationally known author, speaker and host of the “Faith Is the Victory” television broadcast.
Bishop surrendered his passport before his first appearance on the charges Wednesday. He also cannot leave the state and must undergo random drug screenings.
His arraignment was set for Oct. 27.