A man is accused of reaching under a bathroom stall at a Target and sexually touching a woman, according to Alabama deputies.
Now he’s been charged with first-degree sexual abuse, the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office said in Dec. 20 news release.
The 38-year-old was taken into custody after the incident at the Target in Tuscaloosa County, AL.com reported.
A woman told investigators she was using the department store’s bathroom Dec. 12 when someone in the stall next to her dropped to a knee and reached under the stall to grab her, according to the news outlet.
Attorney information for the man is not available.
Capt. Jack Kennedy with the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office told McClatchy News that investigators found past police reports in which the man was “suspected of similar activity.”
However, no arrests were made in those incidents.
“Investigators were able to establish a pattern of (the man) going into the girl’s bathroom at Target for sexual gratification including a similar incident a month prior,’’ according to a deposition obtained by the Tuscaloosa Thread.
The man was arrested Dec. 15 and booked at the Tuscaloosa County Jail on a $25,000 cash bond, jail records show.
“Due to the nature of these assaults, and known proclivities of these types of offenders, we encourage anyone who may have been a victim, or knows of any possible abuse by (the man) to please contact the Violent Crimes Unit at (205) 464-8690,” deputies said in the news release.
Tuscaloosa is about 60 miles southwest of Birmingham.
If you have experienced sexual assault and need someone to talk to, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline for support at 1-800-656-4673 or visit the hotline’s online chatroom.
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Amanda Smith is a dedicated U.S. correspondent with a passion for uncovering the stories that shape the nation. With a background in political science, she provides in-depth analysis and insightful commentary on domestic affairs, ensuring readers are well-informed about the latest developments across the United States.
