Teen Volunteer Alleges Firehouse Sexual Harassment

Accused of inappropriately touching young woman at firehouse

An investigation into misconduct at a firehouse has led to the firing of nine volunteer firefighters in Spotsylvania County, Va.

A 17-year-old female volunteer told authorities that she survived a night of sexual taunting by two male volunteer firefighters that escalated into one of them inappropriately touching her.

It happened one night in May when the female victim was on duty at the Company 1 firehouse, according to Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Detective Earle Swift.

The volunteer said she was in her sleeping bunk when the men called her downstairs, telling her they needed her help with a firehouse duty.  However, once she got downstairs, she realized that the guys actually wanted her to take part in a stripping game, she said. When she refused to take off her clothes, the game escalated into taunts, she said.

After telling the men that she was tired, they turned a water hose on her, saying that it would wake her up, she said. The men continued to hold the hose on her until she was soaked, according to her statement, then carried her into a shower stall. It was there that one of them attempted to sexually touch her, the victim said.

The victim said that after she refused the advances, she was refused a towel. 

Steven Tyler Perry, 20, was arrested in Virginia Beach Saturday. He is charged with one felony count of custodial indecent liberties.  The other suspect is under 18 and has not been charged.

Local

Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information

GMU cricket stadium proposal scrapped

Nationals place Stephen Strasburg on 60-day injured list

Perry confessed to the accusations, according to the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Department. 

Contact Us