grabs my arm, pushes me into the big stall, and he's like trying to kiss me. He's just like, "What if I robbed you right now?" You were joking around with her for a little bit and then left. Is joking around to your, you know, definition of that being including taking your out? She was laughing the whole time. I can't afford to go back to jail over something stupid. It was a misunderstanding. On June 22nd, 2024, officers responded to a gas station near Interstate 65 after an assistant manager reported that a male customer had assaulted her inside the store during her overnight shift. The employee stated that the man allegedly hid behind the women's restroom door, grabbed her arm, pushed her into a stall, and attempted to kiss her without consent before exposing himself at the counter. Hello there. How are you doing? Good. How are you? I'm doing well. So, I got a call Yes. from somebody about a assault that happened overnight. >> Yes, that was me. >> That was you. Okay. >> Yes. Uh I didn't really know what to do. I work the overnight by myself and Yeah. >> I'm the assistant manager running the store right now, so I didn't know who to call. >> Okay. He's staying at the hotel. Have you seen him before or Okay. >> He was staying there months ago. Yeah. And he used to come in here. I used to be the full-time overnight before I became the assistant manager, and he would like hit on me and whatever, tried to add me on Facebook, whatever. >> Yeah. I haven't seen him in a long time. He came in last night the first time, bought something, said, "Hey, what's up?" left. Rang him up, he left, nothing happened. Second time, I was cleaning the bathrooms. I heard the bell ring. I was in this bathroom right here. Okay. >> When the bell rang, I come out and I didn't see anybody, and I was like, "Okay." So, I went to the women's bathroom, that's the one I was cleaning, and I seen somebody go into our family bathroom. I was like, "Okay, somebody's in there." I finished cleaning the family bath the women's bathroom. Yeah. >> out and I looked around, I'm like, "I didn't hear the bell. There he's still in here. There's somebody still in here." Yeah. >> And I went back to the bathroom and I seen that the door was open to the family bathroom, so they were somewhere in here. So, I like went to the women's bathroom and I couldn't open the door. I had it propped with the dustpan. Okay. And I went to open the door all the way so I could step back in to get all the cleaning stuff out. When I looked, he was hiding behind the door. Up in the ladies bathroom? >> Yes. And I was like, "What the [ __ ] are you doing?" And he grabs my arm, pushes me into the big stall, and he's like, "Try to kiss me." And I'm like, "What the [ __ ] are you doing? Get off me." And he's like pushing me, and I'm like up against the wall and like, "Off me." And he finally was like, "You need to be aware of your surroundings." I'm like, "What the [ __ ] are you talking about?" And he was like, "I've been in here, and you didn't see I was in here." I go, "I heard the bell ring." And he comes out here, he's just like, "What if I robbed you right now?" I'm like, I didn't even know what to say. Like, I'm [ __ ] panicking. I'm like, "Uh, it's like 3:00 a.m." Yeah. Who am I going to call?" And I'm like, "What the And he bought something, and he comes up here, and his zipper was down, so I saw his and he had no underwear on. That was trying to come on to me, and I didn't know what to do. I panicked. I texted her. I said, "When you get here, we need to call the cops cuz he's staying over at that hotel." Okay. Do you know his name? James Sturgeon. James Sturgeon? Yes. You have your ID on you by chance? >> Yeah. And then he tried to guise it as a joke. He said, "Oh, by the way, I was just joking." After he tried to touch me in the bathroom. >> Yeah, it doesn't work like that. Yeah. I told her about it. She was like, "Why didn't you call me?" I'm like, "I didn't know what to do. I panicked." And about how old is he? Uh, he's probably >> Like, 30s, 40s, something like that? 30s, I would say. Do you know James Sturgeon? I don't doesn't ring a bell off the top of my head either. White guy, black guy? White. When he was pushing you into the stall, was he just kind of like grabbing your shoulders or just kind of like holding your arm? >> was pushing me, and my hand was on his chest going like this, and he was pushing me back. Okay. >> So. And did he kiss you or was he just trying? >> he was trying to kiss me. Okay, so he's just coming in, and you're like, "What the [ __ ] out of here." Okay. And did you do you have cameras in here at all? I do, but they don't go to bathrooms. The closest I can see is just right there. Okay. They don't go back there in the hallway. And you said it was like 3:00 a.m.-ish, give or take? Yeah. Do you have a copy of his transaction when he was in here by chance? Did he use cash or card? Card. Okay. And did he say anything when he was trying to kiss you? Did he >> No. It was just all just you. >> Yes. Was he intoxicated, do you think, or no? No. He was in here the first time and he was perfectly fine. Like nothing occurred. Okay. Nothing like that's ever happened before. You guys have never been in any sort of relationship. This is all just his Okay. Imagination or whatever you want to say. >> Yeah, that's him. That's in there. Yes. All right. All right. Well, I think I've got what I need from you. He's at the hotel. Yep. I don't want him to come back in here. No, that's I was just going to ask. That's is you're the assistant manager, she's the manager? No, I'm running the store right now. >> Okay, you're running it right now. I'm still filling in for the manager. Okay, wonderful. Well, I'll trespass him from the property then. Did you tell him to leave and that you don't want him back? No, he just left cuz I didn't know what to say. Like I've never had anybody try to touch me like that. So, I was pretty shocked. That can put you in a in a weird state for sure where you're not really thinking clearly. So, we will articulate that to him and then I would assume you want charges for the battery? I do. Okay, yep. You stopped me for no reason. So, I mean No, I didn't. Okay. I didn't stop you for no reason. We don't do that. You see all these other people? Okay. I didn't I'm not just stopping people for no reason. Okay. You know it's for no reason cuz you know what you've been up to for the last couple hours. Okay. So, I'm going to read you something. I'm going to ask you a couple questions. Do you understand those rights? Yep. Okay. Do you want to talk to me knowing those rights? I'm willing to. I didn't do Am I under arrest? Right now you're being detained. Okay. All right, fine. Yep. You're in handcuffs. So, right now you're being detained. I'm wondering if you want to answer my questions cuz I got some questions for you. What's your question? Okay, so you want to answer some questions? What's your question? You were out at the Marathon gas station at I-65 last night? No, I wasn't. Okay, so if you're not going to answer truthfully, we're going to be done. All right. The Marathon Hold on, the Marathon gas station No, you said you didn't want you want to The Marathon gas station is the one by Taco Bell, right? No, there's a Marathon out by I-65 by the the Economy Inn, okay? >> It's called Good to Go. >> Here Here's the deal, listen to me, okay? I have probable cause to arrest you right now. I'd like to talk to you, get your side of the story, okay? But if you're not going to cooperate and you're going to lie to me, I don't have no patience for it cuz I do not need your side of the story cuz I have video evidence of what occurred. All right? So, if you want to talk to me, that's why I am giving you this opportunity. If you don't and you want to lie to me, I'll just take you to jail. I'd like to hear your side of the story. We can skip Wait, I was being arrested for you no matter what. That's why the handcuffs are on. You're being detained for our safety cuz you're known to carry firearms and you're involved in potentially some crimes, okay, that occurred over the last number of hours and that's why you're being detained for our safety. >> So, if I answer your questions, am I free to go? It depends what's going on. That's what I'm trying to figure out. I have one side of the story, I'd like to get yours. So, let me ask you again, were you at the gas station at I-65, the Marathon gas station? Okay, so what occurred when you went inside? I went to the bathroom and I a friend of mine that used to work there and we were joking around. Who's your friend? Her name was Michelle, I believe. It's been It's been like years since I seen her. Okay, you say you were joking around. What What happened when you guys were joking around? >> We were by the bathroom right there and when we were joking around and when we were wrestling like joking and playing around like horse playing. Like taking on each other or what are you What are you doing? Yeah, when just stuff like that, you know, when like then I wanted to buy something and I left. Okay, so what >> Like we were cool, we were laughing and joking right there at the counter as I left. What were you doing in the bathroom? What was going on there? >> I went to use the bathroom. Okay, which bathroom did you go to use? The family bathroom. Okay, and after that? She was right there when I walked out and then we were joking around and then we walked out towards the front and then paid I bought some combos and then I left. And and you didn't made no other actions that I would have observed on the camera. Think about what you did. Think about the things that you did. >> You're not point like we was horse playing around. That's all I like that's all that happened. Like I'm being honest. I'm on parole right now. I'm not trying to do any of this. >> I'm aware you're on parole. You're horse playing around and you don't remember anything else that happened. Yeah, I just told you I bought some combos and point like I went in there before I bought some to drink. I went outside I fell asleep for a little bit and then point I went back in bought some combos used the bathroom joked around with her for a little bit and then left. Okay. Is joking around to your you know definition or that being including taking your out? Well, it's on the security cameras out. So, I don't have x-ray vision. Well, I mean If it's out it's out, right? Well, well yeah obviously like I like I said I went to use the bathroom. So, I mean >> No, not in the bathroom. They don't got cameras in there. >> I understand that but I mean the only thing I have to think of is if my fly was Look these pants don't stay unzipped all the time man. >> Yeah, but I watched you unzip it and take it out. So, that's a little different. You're saying you have no recollection of taking your out in the inside of a gas station? No. That's a problem. Like I'm seriously not trying to charge any problems man. Point like I'm like I'm saying >> I know you're not trying to charge any problems. I'm the one who charges crimes, okay? That's not what I mean man. Like I'm trying to do the right thing. I'm on parole. I've been doing good. I got a job. Point like I'm not doing anything illegal. Well, that's not true, okay? Cuz that's what we're trying to talk about is there was some stuff occurring last night that's not entirely legal. Well, I well like I said we were just horse playing. As far as I know we were just horse playing. Okay. >> Like I'm not point I'm not trying to lie to you. I'm not trying to do any of that. Like I'm being serious. Taking your out in public is not a horse play. Right. I mean I understand that but like I said as far as I remember like point I mean I zip my pants before and these pants come unzipped all the Well, they you're saying they come unzipped but you unzipped them. We watched you. That's different. >> Right. That's different than >> I I understand that. You understand? You know, it'd be one thing if you walked in there I mean we've all had our fly down. I've had it while I'm working, okay? Um but we usually got our underpants on and it's usually an accident when it like unzips, but I can't say I've accidentally unzipped my pants and have my wiener out. That's where I'm at. I I understand that. You know, I'm not trying to I'm just trying to clear Neither. And I'm not trying to cause any problems. Like I'm supposed to be at work right now. I just stopped to get something to drink. Okay. So you don't remember necessarily anything else that occurred there, nothing that you think you want to clarify? Like I said, I really don't. I've been I've been 100% honest with you. Okay. Like and in the bathroom when you were horse playing with her, what exactly was occurring with that horse play? I mean nothing. Like when we were just She grabbed me up a little bit and then I grabbed her, you know, and then it was just about it. And then we walked out, we was laughing. She was laughing the whole time. So how did you exactly grab her up? You said I mean when like Yeah, you just explain it with your words. You don't have Right. I mean when like I didn't really grab her like when like we was next to each other and and when she turned around we was right there. So I mean when like I kind of like gave her a little hug, you know, and that was and that was it. Okay. And what did she say? >> I've known her for years. Nothing. She was laughing about it. We went right back up to the to the cash register. I bought some combos and then I left. I I talked to her for a minute and I left. Were you like flirting with her? Yeah, we did it all the time. I used to live at the hotel. Okay. Have you guys ever had a relationship? Okay. And was that what you guys were you thought you were initiating last night again? Pretty much. Like if you're up I mean yeah Yeah. That's like me and my girlfriend just broke up. So I figured well she was up there working, so I figured I'd go up there and talk to her and hang out like we used Okay. I got you. Go find some more company, I guess. Like I said, I'm not trying to cause no problems. How'd that end? I mean you So you you kind of grabbed her, you were maybe hoping to get something out of it, whatever, but how did it end then? >> really hoping to get nothing out of it. We was just joking around. That's all I thought it was was joking around. We used to do it all the time. >> Well, I mean you just said you broke up with your girlfriend, so you went out there cuz you know she was out there and that you were kind of grabbing on her and you used to have a relationship. >> Never >> said I was grabbing on her. Or grabbing on her, I'm sorry. Didn't mean to put words in your mouth. But grabbing on a little bit. I'm not We were just Like I said, as far as I understand, we were just horse playing, man. I I don't need the problems. I don't need the drama. I understand that. Nobody needs the problems or this kind of stuff. My parole is definitely going to violate me and I'm not trying to do that. I'm not trying to go back to jail or to And I got no There's probably people all over this parking lot that are on probation, parole, okay? We're not out trying to pick on them. >> that. We're out talking to you cuz there's kind of been some interaction, okay? I can't afford to go back to jail or to do stupid There was a misunderstanding. All right. Well, I understand that. So, I think this officer also has a couple questions about some other incidents that might have happened in town here. Was You said you and your girlfriend just broke up? Yes, we did. What happened there last or yesterday? We got into it. She was texting some dude or whatever and we started yelling or whatever and I wanted to leave and she was right there, so I kind of pushed past her to leave, so I had to get the hell cuz it's not my house, you know? And this morning, she started her new job over here. Well, the plan was, so I figured I'd give her a little bit to leave or to calm down, you know? So, I left whatever and then this morning, the plan was I was supposed to drive her to work. So, I went and met her and then she she waved at me as she drove past because she drove her mom's car, so I thought everything was cool. So, I sat up here while she was at work and then figured we'd talk afterwards. Okay. Well, when she got off work, she went home, so I just I just assumed that she wanted me to follow her over there. So, I went over there and when we started talking, I guess her new supervisor or whatever followed her there, too. So, I mean, like, I'm done with all that. Like, I don't need that If she wants to start all that then she wants to cheat on me with some other guy, then fine, that's her choice. I'm done with it. Like, I'm not trying to I'm just trying to go home and get to work. >> And so, no nothing physical happened other than you trying to push past her leaving the house. >> That's it. Okay. So, there's no reason for her to claim that you strangled her. No, she did not. Her son witnessed it. Definitely did not. No? Okay. When we were leaving When we were leaving arguing, her son was in her room. In his room. Well, he came out because he heard you guys. >> No, he came out as I was walking out because he was right there in the kitchen for when I had to walk past him to go out the back door. So, there'd be no reason for you to have redness or anything on her neck. No. Okay. Not from me, anyway. Like, I mean, I understand for when you guys going to look at my criminal record and then obviously think that, you know, but like I said, I'm not trying to do all that. I'm 36 years old. I'm getting way too old for this. So, you guys have been in a full relationship dating and you stayed You've been staying with her for multiple days. >> She's been staying at my I live in Kenton. She stayed there for like two, three days a week for whatever because her daughter lives in Kenton and then I come here and we stay here for a couple days a week. Okay. So, you you've been here since Been here since Thursday. Right. Wednesday, Thursday. Wednesday. So, she she told me that you called her yesterday to come over. No. For like, I could call my roommate right now and he'd tell you she was with me. She went with me from her house to my house to take a shower and change my clothes and then we came back. >> So, you you never were separated from each other yesterday? So, if I go back and she shows me her phone, you guys wouldn't have a phone conversation? No. Like I said, I could call my roommate right now and he'd tell you she was That's not what I'm asking. If you're if you're with her at all times of the day, there'd be no reason for you to call her, correct? Right. So, there would be no call history on her phone. Unless I was in the bathroom or something. I call her all the time when I'm in the bathroom for like, "Bring me toilet paper." Well, that would that would take what, 10 seconds? Exactly. Okay. There'd be no reason for a call log to be longer than that. Right. So, if I go back to her house now and she shows me her phone, she shows me that you called her yesterday. >> I have video evidence showing that she was with me all day yesterday. I She said you were there yesterday. But, she said that you called her to come over. She didn't say you've been living there for 2 days. So, I'm just asking >> Again, I and I can show you video that she left her house with me or well, I can show you at least for her showing up at my house in Kenton. Us leaving, coming back here because her son wanted her home. So, it's not what I'm asking. I'm asking >> I've been with her all day. Okay. All day. So, so the call log I don't know about no call log. I no idea. I don't know what you're talking about. Okay. I I was with her all day. And she I mean she's not denying that. I'm saying that she just said that you >> know what you're saying, man. Do you understand what he's saying? Can you please explain this? >> did you guys talk on the phone yesterday cuz you weren't together? >> phone every day. But you if you're together with somebody if I'm hanging out with you all day >> I mean my phone's in my pocket right now. You can look. But I'm not going to call you if I'm standing right next to you. Do you understand that reasoning? He's just saying >> The only time I might have called her is when I left after we got in an argument. Okay. And do you know what time that would have been? Again, I said around 8:30 or so. At night? Yes. Okay. We were together all day for for the past 2 months. And where did you go last So after 8:30 last night you went out, where did you go then? I went up here and parked right here for a minute while I was trying to calm down. And if And by the time then it was too late for me to go home. So I was slept in my car last night. And then sometime in the middle of the night went out to the gas station. >> Yeah. Okay. Cuz I had to use the bathroom. That's the only place that was open anyway. There's 20 cops at the Circle K gas station. That'll happen. Yeah. You got any more questions? Okay. All right. Well, at this point, okay, you are going to be under arrest, okay, for [clears throat] battery, that time in the bathroom when you were grabbing on her, okay, and trying to kiss her. Well, it is what it is right now, okay, as well as indecent exposure cuz you exposed yourself in the in the gas station to her, all right? And whether or not the city's got charges for domestic, I'm not sure. All right? But for me and mine right now >> knew all that, man. As soon as you You're detained, man. I don't know why you guys say that [ __ ] When you're not being detained, you're being arrested as soon as you put the handcuffs >> No. Right now you're under arrest cuz I just let you know. Initially, you're being detained. They're two different things. It's It's an off Okay. It's often a misconception. You can listen or not, I don't care, but I'll just let you know. So, uh you got any questions for me at all? Nope. You got anything dangerous on your person? No weapons? No drugs? No nothing's going to stick us, poke us, nothing like that? Nope. Okay. You got your wallet on you? Nope. No? Okay. Where is it at? Go and step right here. I don't have it on me. You don't have it on you? Is it in your vehicle? Nope. Do you want your wallet to come with you? Nope. No? >> Like I said, you are not going in my truck, bro. Come on. Did I ask to go in your truck? >> Well, obviously you keep asking for my wallet, so you're not going in my truck. >> So, listen here. I'm trying to help you out. Some people want their stuff to go with them, okay? I'm not an So, I'm just making sure you don't want your wallet to come with you. Stop being so smart with me. Did I ask you to search your truck once? No, I did not. Sit your ass in the car. Don't try to be a smart ass, okay? Let's have a seat. The man was arrested and charged with robbery, theft of a vehicle, battery, public indecency with a prior unrelated conviction, driving while suspended with a prior suspension within 10 years, probation violation, and battery.