A Perry man was charged with assault Monday after he allegedly touched the buttocks of a retail store employee.
John Emerson Welder, 62, of 16803 G Ave., Perry, was charged with assault with intent to commit sexual abuse.
The incident began about 3:45 p.m. Monday in the 1300 block of Willis Avenue, where an officer of the Perry Police Department responded to a report of harassment of an employee by a customer at a retail store.
Reviewing security camera footage, the officer observed the female victim “behind the counter,” and the victim then “closed her arms off and moved to the corner,” according to court records.
Welder then “proceeded to walk around the counter” and “proceeded to place his arms around the victim with his arm lowering” and “then proceeded to slap her in the buttocks,” according to court records.
The officer made contact with Welder, who told the officer that he “walked around and swatted her on her ass,” according to court records. Welder said that he “didn’t grab her ass, I swatted it.”
Welder is held in the Dallas County Jail in advance of an initial appearance in Dallas County District Court.
Welder was convicted of domestic abuse assault in 1996 in Dallas County District Court.
*A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
