Robinson Peeping Suspect Freed After Serving Half Of 300-day Sentence

The guy has been arrested over 30 times since 2006, and he is back on the street again. If you are female, listen up.

Bell County Authorities Prepare to Monitor Man with History of Trespassing Following Jail Release

Safety concerns are mounting across Central Texas as 46-year-old James Austin Grisham, a man with an extensive criminal record, is released from the McLennan County Jail following a recent guilty plea to harassment and criminal trespassing. Grisham’s latest legal trouble occurred only weeks after completing an 18-month state jail sentence from an April 2024 controlled substance conviction.

Peeping Tom

Grisham’s latest arrest occurred after investigators linked him to multiple incidents of looking into the windows of residential homes in Robinson at night. Despite receiving a 300-day sentence in McLennan County, Grisham served roughly half of that duration due to "two-for-one" day-for-day jail credits, which allowed each day of incarceration to count as two toward his court-mandated time.

Community Alarm

Public attention surrounding Grisham’s behavior intensified after several local residents, including Temple mother Micah Springston, publicly detailed her family's personal encounters with him and urged other people who had run ins with this guy to speak out.

Bell County Responds

In response to the public outcry, the Bell County Sheriff's Office confirmed it is actively tracking the situation to safeguard local neighborhoods. Officials told KCEN, "The Bell County Sheriff's Office is aware of the pending release of Mr. Grisham and is closely monitoring the situation. The Sheriff's Office remains committed to protecting the citizens of Bell County and will continue to take all appropriate actions within the authority of the law to help ensure public safety."

Decades of Offenses and Safety Precautions

Public records reveal a long criminal history for Grisham dating back to 2005 in Bell County. His long rap sheet includes repeated arrests for driving while intoxicated as well as multiple criminal trespass charges. Following a March arrest, bond conditions established by a judge required Grisham to be equipped with a GPS ankle monitor upon release.

Keep Ya'lls Eyes Open

The public can be a huge help by staying alert and aware. If you are walking outside or in public, look around on a regular basis. Predators target those who are unaware of their surroundings. Have your car keys in your hand before you walk out of a store, school, or other public facility. Make eye contact with people. Lock those windows and doors and listen to your gut. If you think someone is following your car, drive to a police or fire station or a well lit, populated public place and lay on the horn. If something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.

Who To Call

Emergency situations should be directed to 911, while non-emergency concerns or information regarding past encounters with Grisham can be reported directly to Bell County Sheriff's Office Investigator Brett Edds at 254-933-5412.