A quick trip to a southeast Portland corner store turned into a criminal case on Southeast Division Street on Friday, after police say a woman was groped outside a neighborhood market and a 39-year-old man was arrested a short time later.
According to court documents obtained by KATU, officers were called to KS Market at Southeast 152nd Avenue and Southeast Division Street on Friday. The woman told police a man in a dress with a blood-stained beard was watching her outside the store. As she walked past him, she said, he grabbed her buttocks with both hands, then ran off.
Police say surveillance video from the market backed up her account. About 30 minutes later, officers spotted a man behind the Kentucky Fried Chicken at Southeast 146th Avenue and Southeast Division Street who matched the description, including the dress and bloodied facial hair. They arrested 39-year-old Joel Thomas Faith on misdemeanor charges of third-degree sexual abuse and harassment. He is being held without bail.
What the charges mean
Under Oregon law, sexual abuse in the third degree covers nonconsensual sexual contact and is classified as a Class A misdemeanor. The statute, outlined in ORS 163.415, includes unwanted touching of another person's sexual or intimate parts.
Harassment, the other charge listed against Faith, is defined in ORS 166.065. It is generally a lower-level offense unless it involves sexual contact or other aggravating factors, which can affect how prosecutors choose to file and pursue the case.
Court history and prior orders
Per KATU, court records show Faith had an outstanding warrant issued in July 2025 after prosecutors said he failed to report to pretrial release services in a 2023 case accusing him of violating a stalking protective order.
Those records state a judge granted a stalking protective order against Faith in 2022. During a welfare check in May 2023, he allegedly stared at the protected woman and repeatedly yelled, "Die, die, die."
Faith pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on Monday and remains held without bail. A next court date was not immediately announced.
What’s next
For now, Faith is set to remain in custody while prosecutors prepare the misdemeanor case in Multnomah County. As the case moves forward, court dockets and other public records will reflect new filings, hearing dates, and any changes to his custody status.
