Springfield man accused of sexually motivated burglary

Harrison Keegan
News-Leader

A Springfield man has been accused of entering a home without permission and inappropriately touching a preteen girl.

Demarius Marshall, 36, was charged last week with first-degree burglary and attempted enticement of a child younger than 15.

According to a probable cause statement, a girl recently disclosed to authorities that Marshall came to her home in July while she was in bed, laid down next to her, kissed her and touched her legs.

The girl said Marshall left after she told him to stop, according to the statement.

Authorities say the girl knew Marshall, but not well.

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The girl's mother told Springfield police she went on one date with Marshall and then he started showing up to her home uninvited, so she told him before this incident to stay away from her daughter, according to the statement.

When confronted by police about the July incident, Marshall allegedly said he was at the house that night cooking steaks and it was normal for him to be there. As for the contact with the girl, he said it was a friendly "peck" and a "pat," according to the statement.

In a bond recommendation document, prosecutors wrote that Marshall entered the victim's home knowing he was not welcome and his actions on the bed "can only be interpreted as attempting to entice or initiate sexual contact" with the child victim.

Marshall does not have an attorney listed for this case. Online records indicate a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

The burglary charge carries a possible 15-year prison sentence.

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