Two women were arrested and charged with second-degree kidnapping and sexual battery on Jan. 9, 2019. This was after they allegedly assaulted a transgender woman in the Milk Bar’s restroom on Dec. 9, 2018, in Raliegh, North Carolina.
Thirty-one-year-old Jessica Fowler and Amber Harrell, 38, are accused of groping the victim and asking about her genitals. They are also accused of exposing themselves.
Fowler turned herself in on Tuesday, December 8 and is now in custody on a $30,000 bond. Whereas, Harrell turned herself in over the weekend. She posted a $50,000 and was released from jail on Monday.
The 911 caller, whose name has been bleeped and voice bearded, told police the incident took place in the restroom. The caller told officers that what started as an affable conversation, took a turn for the worse. The dispatcher was told they had fondled the transgender woman’s genitals and wanted to know if she had a penis.
One of one of the assailants allegedly lifted “her shirt up says ‘You wanna see my boobs?.'” The harassment continued even after the three women left the bathroom. A witness said one of the women continued to grab the transgender woman ignoring the bartender who told them to stop.
ABC News reached out for statements from Fowler and Harrell. Neither has responded.
Written by Parris Winfrey
Edited by Cathy Milne-Ware
ABC News: 2 women charged after allegedly groping transgender woman in North Carolina bar
ABC 11: 2 women accused of attack on transgender person at Raleigh bar
News Observer: Two women charged with groping transgender patron at downtown Raleigh bar
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Bill Dickinson’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
