COLLIERVILLE, TN (abc24.com)— A Collierville man is behind bars, accused of raping an 11-year-old girl. Jamal Conley reportedly met the girl at a family entertainment center called FunQuest. The 18-year-old has never been arrested until now. He's charged with rape and the case is going before a grand jury.
"He was a respectable young man. I'm just not believing this,” said Alfreda Hinez.
Hinez knows Jamal Conley through Bible study class. She had no idea her Christian friend would be accused of rape.
"It's just a big shock to us and we hate it,” Hinez told abc24 news. “We're praying for him and for the best outcome for him and his family."
Collierville detectives say Conley had sex with the girl over a 4-month period last year. There were reports the two met at FunQuest, a place where kids of all ages come to bowl, skate, and play laser tag.
Funquest's owner wasn't happy when an ABC 24 crew showed up. Tommy Hart grabbed the photographer’s camera, and tried to kick the crew off his property. The ABC 24 news photographer repeatedly told Hart to let go. After the crew left, Hart changed his mind about the interview.
"It was not in our facility. There is a large lot back here behind FunQuest and that's where the meeting took place,” Hart said.
Whether or not Conley met the 11-year-old at or near FunQuest, Hinez blames the girl's parents.
"Where were her parents during this? If they have been dating for so long why didn't they know about it?" Hinez asked. “Parents have to be more involved when they're dropping off their children.”
Conley is being held at the Shelby County Jail on $50,000 bond.
