LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — The settlement of several civil lawsuits alleging Stanley Marsh 3 paid teenagers for sex won't affect the criminal sex assault case against the eccentric millionaire artist best known for his "Cadillac Ranch" art display along a Texas interstate, a prosecutor says.

Special prosecutor Matt Powell said he plans to present the criminal case to grand jurors sometime next month. Marsh faces six counts of sexual assault and five counts of sexual performance by a child. The charges involve two boys, ages 15 and 16.

Last weekend, attorneys announced they had settled civil lawsuits accusing Marsh of molesting 10 teens. Terms of the settlement were not released.

"It's not going to affect us at all," Powell said in an interview Thursday. "They don't have any bearing on what I'm going to do."

Marsh's criminal attorneys, who have denied the allegations, declined to comment.

Marsh, 74, is free on $300,000 bond. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison per count and fines of up to $10,000. The charges involve alleged acts from 2010.

Marsh suffered a massive stroke in 2011, and his wife is now his legal guardian.

Powell, who said additional charges against Marsh could be added, said he isn't concerned the settlement could keep the accusers from testifying truthfully.

"That's the reason we have statements from them," he said, adding that statements have been taken from "almost" every alleged victim, not just the two whose accusations are the basis for the charges.

The civil suits alleged Marsh gave the teenage boys cash, alcohol, drugs and cars to perform sex acts with him during secret encounters. Continued...