Washington couple convicted of sex abuse, other charges

WASHINGTON — A Washington County jury returned a total of seven guilty verdicts Tuesday in the cases against Devin Cornelius Gregory, 45, and Karolla Andrea Gregory, 47.

The trial began last Tuesday, Aug. 22 and concluded with closing arguments the morning of Aug. 29. The jury delivered its verdict early Tuesday afternoon and found the defendants guilty as charged on all counts.

Devin Gregory was found guilty of Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree and Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, both Class C felony offenses, as well as two counts of Supplying Alcohol to Person Under the Legal Age. Karolla Gregory was found guilty of Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree and two counts of Supplying Alcohol to Person Under the Legal Age.

The verdict came exactly one year after officers executed a search warrant at the Gregory residence in response to allegations of the couple enticing a minor into their home, supplying alcohol, and later committing or aiding and abetting sexual abuse. The couple was indicted in District Court in September 2022.

After the trial, Assistant Washington County Attorney Shane McChurch recognized the efforts of those involved.

“All credit to the Washington Police Department for their diligent investigation, the St. Luke’s Child Protection Center, and especially the victim, whose bravery and strength in seeing this case through to the end cannot be overstated,” McChurch said in a statement.

The defendants were remanded to the custody of the Washington County Jail to await sentencing, which is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2023.