Case against man accused of sexually assaulting women in homes moves to trial

A Pennsylvania man accused of breaking into the homes of four women and either raping or attempting to rape the victims will face a trial.

John Vernon Gray, 23, of Telford, said nothing when he appeared in court on Friday, April 24. The judge told him there was enough evidence against him for his case to be moved to trial.

Resources for victims of sexual assault are available through the National Sexual Violence Resources Center and the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 800-656-4673.

Gray first targeted two elderly residents at a senior living community in Lansdale while they were sleeping on May 10, 2025, investigators said.

According to a criminal complaint, the first incident happened around 2:30 a.m. that day when an elderly woman woke up to Gray climbing through her window.

She told police that she screamed which made him run away, officials said.

Then, about 30 minutes later, Gray entered through the unlocked front door of another woman’s home at the senior living community, according to investigators. The woman told police she found Gray standing in her bedroom and when she asked what he wanted, he said, “I want you,” according to the criminal complaint.

Police said that Gray then sexually assaulted the woman, told her that he loved her and begged her not to tell anyone before he left.

Gray then targeted two more women on Nov. 8, 2025, according to investigators.

One woman – who lived at the same senior living facility as the first two victims – said Gray entered her home and tried to lift her nightgown, according to the criminal complaint.

About 30 minutes later, Gray broke into the home of a fourth victim who lived within walking distance of an apartment he was staying at, according to investigators. Gray entered through a sliding glass door and began touching the woman who screamed for her husband, police said.

The four women testified and faced Gray during an earlier court appearance on Friday, April 17, 2026.

“Our victims are incredible in this case. They are bright and brave, compassionate, and very strong,” Montgomery County Assistant District Attorney Lauren Marvel said back on April 17. “When something happens, it can be incredibly overwhelming. And it can be very scary to talk to anybody about it and a lot of victims will question whether it’s worth coming forward or worth saying anything. And what I would say is that it is always worth saying something because we will take it seriously.”

While Gray’s defense attorney argued that the women did not see the attacker’s face, prosecutors say other evidence ties him to the crimes. That includes cellphone data placing him near the scenes and DNA evidence found on one victim’s nightgown, according to investigators.

A detective also testified that when Gray was confronted about his DNA being found on the victim’s clothing, he told police he was in her home and said he didn’t have to force his way in. Gray also allegedly told the detective that he asked the woman for forgiveness.

“That was incredibly powerful evidence and it’s one of the pieces that we will certainly argue is strongest to show not just that he was there, but what he did when he was inside,” Marvel said on April 24.

Gray is charged with multiple crimes, including rape, sexual assault and burglary.