Sand Springs Police arrest pastor accused of sexual battery

By Fox23.com News Staff

SAND SPRINGS, Okla. — The Sand Springs Police Department arrested a pastor accused of sexual battery following a months-long investigation into reports of his suspicious interactions with a child.

Police said on November 11, 2025, officers received a DHS referral reporting inappropriate behavior with an adult and a child. Police said the reports did not note anything criminal, just suspicious interactions.

On Nov. 25, the suspect, 42-year-old Marcus Owens, was interviewed by police and denied any relationship with the juvenile, stating he was like a father figure to the victim.

On July 14, 2026, the victim came forward to police, reporting sexual assault by Owens.

The suspect was interviewed again on Monday. Police developed probable cause to arrest Owens for one count of sexual battery due to the information gathered over several months. Owens is a tribal citizen, so his case will be forwarded to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and the FBI to determine jurisdiction for his prosecution.

Police said there have been questions to if Owens was a School Resource Officer with Sand Springs Public Schools. Owens has never been affiliated with the Sand Springs Police Department, and was never a SRO. Although, he was employed as a security guard for the school district once during the 2021-2022 school year, and again during the 2022-2023 school year.

Owens has worked in various roles in the school district, including as a teacher’s assistant, paraprofessional and substitute teacher.

Police said Owens has also been heavily involved in his church for many years, including as a pastor.

Owens has had access to children for at least the past 15 years, police said. If there are any other individuals who have been victimized by Owens, report it to your local police department.