A Super Bowl party in northwest Knoxville took a serious turn early Monday when a 19-year-old man was arrested after police say he tried to sexually assault a juvenile girl in a bedroom during the gathering.
Witnesses stepped in, and Knoxville Police Department officers arrived to find the suspect with visible facial injuries, according to police. He was treated at the scene, then taken into custody.
As reported by WVLT, officers were called just after 1:30 a.m. Monday to an apartment in northwest Knoxville. Court records identify the suspect as Chester Werkheiser and state that the juvenile told investigators he entered her room and attempted to assault her.
The victim’s brother reportedly walked in, found Werkheiser in the room, and struck him, according to the same court records. Officers then treated Werkheiser for his injuries before transporting him to the Roger D. Wilson Detention Facility on a sexual battery charge.
Booking Log Shows Warrant And Bond
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office “24 Hours In Custody” booking log lists “WERKHEISER, CHESTER” with a sexual battery charge and a warrant that sets bond at $2,500, according to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office. The same entry notes GPS conditions and a felony bond hearing that is scheduled for Wednesday.
What The Charge Means
Tennessee law, Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-505 defines sexual battery as unlawful sexual contact that is carried out by force, without consent, through fraud, or when the victim is incapacitated, and it is generally prosecuted as a Class E felony, according to WomensLaw.
A Class E felony in Tennessee typically carries a possible sentence of one to six years in prison and fines of up to $3,000, according to FindLaw.
Next Steps In The Case
Prosecutors are expected to review the charging file, and Werkheiser is due to appear in Knox County Criminal Court for a felony bond hearing on Wednesday, per the sheriff’s booking log. The investigation remains active, and additional details are likely to come through future court filings or statements from prosecutors as the case moves forward.
