McAlester News-Capital, McAlester, OK

Local News

October 2, 2008

78-year old man charged with groping

By James Beaty

A McAlester man is accused of groping a woman who tried to rent some storage space from him.

William Chapman, 78, is charged with a felony count of sexual battery. He is accused of groping a 35-year-old McAlester woman by grabbing her body several times, pressing his body against her own and forcibly kissing her on the cheek.

McAlester police arrested Chapman following an investigation after the woman filed a complaint, said Det. Frankie McClendon.

Police became involved after Det. Bobby Cox took a report at the McAlester police department.

The woman told police she had gone to A-Affordable Storage on Sept. 6 to rent a storage building.

She said she went inside while her daughter waited in the truck, according to an affidavit McClendon filed in the case.

The woman said she made contact with an elderly man, identified as Chapman, and paid $25 for the use of a storage building.

As she started to leave, Chapman allegedly followed the woman to the door and began to ask her personal sexual questions, according to allegations in the affidavit.

Chapman then allegedly pulled the woman’s body to him and then grabbed her body several times, McClendon said in the affidavit.

The woman told police she kept reaching for the door to leave, but Chapman was blocking the door so she couldn’t get out, according to allegations in the affidavit. She said that Chapman then kissed her on the right cheek, the affidavit alleges.

She told Chapman that her daughter was waiting outside in the truck and she was able to get past Chapman and get out the door, according to allegations in the affidavit.

During their investigation, police interviwed the woman’s daughter, who said her mother had told her about Chapman “messing with her and touching her,” the affidavit alleges.

The affidavit also states that the girl said her mother appeared frightened and “was freaking out.”

Police said that another woman has reported a similar incident with Chapman.

Police interviewed Chapman, who agreed to speak with detectives after being read his Miranda rights, according to the affidavit. He denied any wrongdoing and said he could not recall the woman who made the complaint coming in to rent the storage unit, the affidavit states. The case was then sent to the district attorney’s office for review.

Chapman pleaded innocent to the charge during an initial court appearance at the Pittsburg County Courthouse. Special Judge Donnita Wynn set a preliminary hearing conference for 9 a.m. on Oct. 10.

Contact James Beaty at jbeaty@mcalesternews.com.

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