Man asks child to ‘touch him’ in public restroom
An arrest warrant has been issued for a Muldrow man who allegedly approached a minor child in a public restroom of a local clinic and asked him to “touch him” inappropriately.
An arrest warrant has been issued for a Muldrow man who allegedly approached a minor child in a public restroom of a local clinic and asked him to “touch him” inappropriately.
Garry L. Williams, 66, was formally charged with felony lewd molestation on April 20 in Sequoyah County District Court and a warrant was issued for his arrest the same day, according to court records.
Officer Antonio Aguilar reported on Feb. 15 he was dispatched to Redbird Smith Clinic in Sallisaw in reference to a disturbance. Security told the of- ficer they were notified after a man allegedly made inappropriate comments to a child under the age of 13 while in the restroom.
Aguilar spoke with the child’s mother who said her son went in to use the restroom and came out a few minutes later in a panic, screaming that a man allegedly tried to touch him. The mother said she saw a man exit the restroom and held him there until security arrived.
The mother claimed the man said he didn’t touch the child, and security then escorted him into a separate area of the clinic.
The officer, along with Investigator Perry Proctor, arranged for the child to be interviewed at Safe Haven in Sallisaw while they spoke with the alleged suspect, Williams.
Williams waived his rights and told authorities he’d speak with them regarding the allegation. Williams claimed he’d only washed his hands in the restroom and did not touch or talk to the child, according to the affidavit. He said he then left the restroom.
When Proctor asked Williams to run him through the encounter, William reported he used the first urinal and then washed his hands. He said the child came in and went to the same urinal, and bumped into his right arm. Williams said he then exited the restroom prior to the child leaving. Witness statements and video surveillance showed the child left the restroom first.
During the interview, the child said Williams came into the restroom and put his arm around him. He said Williams then pointed to his “privates” and said “touch one time,” according to the affidavit.
It was also noted in the report that Williams is non-native and not a member of the Cherokee Nation.
District Attorney Jack Thorp said if found guilty of the charge, Williams could face imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for not less than 25 years.
