Man Accused Of Groping In Fitness Club Hot Tub
HASTINGS, Minn. (WCCO) -- A Burnsville, Minn., man has been charged with allegedly groping a woman while the two were in a fitness club hot tub.
According to the criminal complaint filed in Dakota County, 36-year-old Sourisack Sihanantharath is accused of fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct.
The alleged victim told investigators that she saw Sihanantharath leering at her at the Apple Valley fitness club on May 15, to the point that she was uncomfortable.
She told police that he then approached her and asked if she was single. She said she told him it was none of his business and went to the pool area.
He followed her there, according to the complaint, and continued harassing her, asking her when she usually came to the gym. She told police she then left the pool and went into the hot tub.
Sihanantharath allegedly followed her into the hot tub and grabbed her hand, shoving it down his shorts. The victim said he then held onto her from behind as he put his hand down her swimsuit.
The victim went into the locker room and asked someone to call 911.
Employees were able to identify the man for police.
When officers arrived at his house, Sihanantharath's wife said he had left with their two children. He returned a few minutes after, though, and told police that the encounter had been consensual.
If convicted, Sihanantharath faces up to a year in prison and a $3,000 fine.
