A local man faces serious charges after police say he secretly recorded a teenager in a Target dressing room. Swansea Police Department have confirmed the arrest of 25-year-old John Michael Williams, who now faces charges including photographing sexual or intimate parts of a child, possession of child pornography, and disorderly conduct, as reported by the department's official statement.
On Monday, around 8 p.m., officers were dispatched to the Target located at 579 Grand Army of the Republic Highway following a report of the filming incident. The authorities, with the assistance of tips from the public and surveillance footage, moving quickly, managed to trace the crime back to Williams, who had captured images of the 17-year-old while she was without clothing in the fitting room.
Williams was subsequently arrested yesterday evening at a residence in Swansea. In their search for evidence, Swansea detectives seized Williams' cellphone. The community, shaken by the events, has been reassured by Chief Mark Foley that such "invasive and disturbing behavior has no place in our community." Detectives Jonathan Furtado and Charles Rowland, along with Officer Scott Stavens, were praised for their efficiency. "They acted quickly and conducted a thorough investigation that led to the identification and arrest of the suspect," Foley said on the department's official website.
Williams is expected to appear before a judge for arraignment in Fall River District Court on the following Thursday. It is important to note that these allegations mark only the beginning of the legal process, and, like anyone accused, Williams is presumed innocent until proven guilty. "We take incidents like this very seriously and will always work to protect the most vulnerable members of our community," added Chief Foley on the department's official website, a sentiment echoed by the officers involved in the response.
