18-Year-Old Arrested for “Pantsing” Trans Woman at Cedar Point
Police say the suspect pulled down the woman's skirt and underwear, exposing her to onlookers at the popular Ohio amusement park.
An 18-year-old man was arrested at Cedar Point, the storied, decades-old amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio, for pulling down the skirt and underwear of a transgender woman.
The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. on May 26. According to a Sandusky Police Department report, a security officer was flagged down by a Cedar Point guest, a transgender woman, who said she and a transgender friend were preparing to leave the park when a man approached her friend from behind, grabbed her skirt and underwear, and pulled them down, exposing her buttocks and genitals.
According to the police report, several people, including young children, witnessed the incident. The victim was reportedly distraught and told police that the man who had “pantsed” her recorded the encounter and laughed.
As reported by FOX affiliate WJW, the victim’s friend chased the suspect toward the front gate before seeking help from security personnel. The suspect, later identified as 18-year-old Marquez Williams, allegedly tried to evade officers by running through the Cedar Point parking lot and refusing repeated orders to stop.
As a result, one officer drew his Taser and repeatedly warned Williams to stop running or be tased.
“At this point I deployed my taser, which had an immediate effect and caused the subject to fall to the ground,” the officer wrote in the police report. “I immediately requested an ambulance to respond. While waiting for the ambulance, a large crowd began forming around officers and some of them began to become aggressive towards us, therefore additional units were requested.”
The officer said Williams attempted to get back on his feet and was instructed to remain on the ground until the ambulance arrived. Williams allegedly tried to pull away from responding officers, who used what the report described as “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 a scrape to his face during the altercation and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. He was later arrested and taken to Erie County Jail, but was released from custody that night after posting 10% of an $8,000 bond, or $800.
The police report notes that the victim told officers she believes Williams targeted her and her friend for the humiliating incident “strictly because they are transgender.”
Williams was initially charged with public indecency, disorderly conduct, obstructing official business, and resisting arrest. At his June 3 arraignment, prosecutors dropped the public indecency charge but added a theft charge. It is unclear whether the theft charge is related to the amusement park incident.
Cedar Point addressed the incident in a statement to 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 banned from all Six Flags parks for life.”
April Dempster, a friend of the alleged victim, told WOIO that she and a group of friends had gone to the amusement park to celebrate her birthday and were disappointed that what had been a positive experience was marred by Williams’ actions.
“We were out having a great day and there was no reason for anyone to put their hands on anyone,” Dempster said.
Dempster said her friend was shaken by the incident, “but is doing a lot better now. She’s home and she has her support group with her.”
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