Schenectady man guilty of fondling 14-year-old girl

A Schenectady man has been found guilty of forcibly fondling a 14-year-old girl.

John Grier, 40, was convicted after a trial of first-degree sexual abuse, third-degree sexual abuse and forcible touching. Grier knew the victim. He assaulted her in his car in the parking lot of a fast-food restaurant in the town of Rotterdam, according to the Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office.

The victim and her family reported the assault the same day it occurred.

Because of his criminal history, Grier could be designated as a persistent violent felon. If that happens, he faces a sentence of 12 to 25 years in prison.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 2.