Mark Aaron Griffin was a Messianic Rabbi in Saginaw, Texas. Messianic Judaism is a syncretic form of evangelical Christianity that incorporates some elements of Judaism. The call themselves Jews, but that is not accepted by mainstream Jews. After he was charged with sexual assault, the Texas school board that banned Anne Frank book invited him to open their meeting with prayer.
He was charged with abusing his influence as a “rabbi” to pressure a woman into consensual and nonconsensual sex. He told her she was God’s gift to him and that she would be his “second wife.” When she told him no, he assaulted her.
He reached a plea deal, pleading guilty to indecent assault and was given two years deferred adjudication which means after two years, if he doesn’t offend again, he will have no conviction on his record. He and his lawyers are claiming he was vindicated by this plea deal.
- NBCDFW: North Texas Rabbi Accused of Sexual Assault in Synagogue
- Fort Worth Star Telegram: Saginaw clergyman used position to coerce, sexually assault woman, police say
- The Jerusalem Post: School board that banned Anne Frank book invited ‘rabbi’ charged with sexual assault
Fort Worth, Texas · Tuesday, April 06, 2021