Ellicott City Barber Charged With Sexually Abusing Boy
ELLICOTT CITY, Md. (WJZ) — A Howard County barber is arrested after police say he sexually assaulted one of his 13-year-old customers.
Monique Griego has more on why police are asking for the public's help.
Police say the suspect worked alone inside the barber shop, and that's where the alleged assault happened. They believe there may be more victims.
Inside the Scissors Sound Hair Salon in Ellicott City is where police say Jung Gon Kim, 54, sexually assaulted one of his 13-year-old customers.
"I'm shocked," said Rebecca Vandenberg, neighbor. "I haven't heard of anything like that in this community."
On Monday, witnesses saw Howard County Police take Kim away in handcuffs.
"I had no idea what was going on. It was crazy," said Brent Stover, who works next door from the barber shop.
Police say the 13-year-old boy told them that over the course of a few months Kim began acting inappropriately, that Kim repeatedly said sexually inappropriate things to him.
Then in September, police say things escalated and that's when they believe Kim sexually assaulted the boy.
Customers who showed up to Kim's shop couldn't believe the charges against him.
Sherry Llewellyn from the Howard County Police Department says while the assault only happened once, "This is a case where we think there might be other victims out there who just haven't reported or told mom and dad what's been happening, and those are the people we need to hear from."
Neighbor Rebecca Vandenberg hopes that isn't true because the shop was popular.
"I'm concerned and I think the word needs to get out if that's the possibility," Vandenberg said.
Kim is being charged with a several sex offenses, including sodomy.
Howard County Police are asking anyone with information on more possible victims to call them at 410-313-2200.
