PANAMA CITY — A former Panama City Beach pastor has pleaded not guilty to charges he got a 16-year-old high and then attempted to seduce her.
On Sept. 11, Markus Quin Bishop, 54, allegedly provided the minor with marijuana before making sexual advances toward her at his Fox Run Boulevard home. Bishop, the former pastor of Faith Christian Family Church in Panama City Beach, was arrested in September and charged with delivering a controlled substance to a minor, felony battery and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Bishop posted his $35,000 bond two days after his arrest Sept. 23 and was ordered to not have any contact with the victim.
Bishop pleaded not guilty to the charges Friday.
Bishop allegedly provided the minor with marijuana in an attempt to intoxicate her before professing his love. 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.
Though the minor fled the pool in an attempt to escape Bishop’s advances; he pursued her, forcing her into an embrace and a kiss, according to BCSO’s investigation.
A pretrial conference has been scheduled for Bishop on Dec. 4.