An 18-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly pulling down the skirt and underwear of a transgender woman at Cedar Point, a decades-old amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio.
The incident occurred on May 26 at approximately 8:30 p.m. A transgender woman who was staying at Cedar Point alerted security, according to a Sandusky police report. She and her transgender friend were preparing to leave the park when a man approached her from behind, grabbed her skirt and underwear, and pulled her down, exposing her buttocks and genitals.
Several people, including a young child, witnessed the incident, according to a police report. The victim was distraught and told police that the man who had made her “gasp” recorded the incident and laughed.
According to a report from FOX affiliate station wisconsinThe victim’s friend chased the suspect toward the main gate before calling security for help. The suspect, later identified as 18-year-old Marquez Williams, allegedly ran through a Cedar Point parking lot, refusing repeated commands to stop and attempting to evade officers.
As a result, one officer pulled out a Taser and repeatedly warned Williams to stop running or he would be Tasered.
“At this point I fired the Taser, which had immediate effect and caused the subject to fall to the ground,” the officer wrote in a police report. “I immediately called for an ambulance to respond. While waiting for the ambulance, a large crowd began to form around the officers, some of whom began to become aggressive towards us, so additional forces were requested.”
Officers said Williams tried to stand up, but was told to stay on the ground until paramedics arrived. Williams allegedly tried to pull away from the responding officers, who then used “reasonable force” to restrain him until emergency medical services arrived. The report also alleges that Williams became aggressive while on the ground, prompting additional officers to respond.
Williams reportedly suffered abrasions to his face during the altercation and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. He was then arrested and taken to the Erie County Jail, but was released that night after posting $800, or 10% of his $8,000 bail.
According to the police report, the victim told officers she believed Williams targeted her and her friend in the humiliating incident “exactly because they are transgender.”
Williams was originally charged with indecent exposure, disorderly conduct, obstructing official business and resisting arrest. At his June 3 arraignment, prosecutors dropped the indecent exposure charge but added the theft charge. It is unclear whether the theft charges are related to the incident at the amusement park.
Cedar Point addressed the incident in a statement to the Cleveland CBS affiliate. Woio.
“Cedar Point is a family-friendly environment and we do not tolerate disruptive or inappropriate behavior,” the statement reads. “Guests who violate our Code of Conduct are not welcome in our parks, and this guest has been permanently banned from all Six Flags parks.”
April Dempster, a friend of the alleged victim, told WOIO that she went to an amusement park with friends to celebrate her birthday and was disappointed that what had been a good experience was ruined by Williams’ actions.
“We were having a great day, so there was no reason for anyone to mess with anyone,” Dempster said.
Dempster said her friend was shaken by the incident, but “is doing much better now. She’s at home and has a support group.”
Source: Metro Weekly – www.metroweekly.com
