John Jefferson
Background: Justin Avery is allegedly seen crawling past an officer at the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Intake Transfer and Release Facility (Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office/KNXV/YouTube). Inset: Justin Avery (Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office).
An Arizona man facing assault charges is potentially in even more trouble after allegedly sneaking around jail guards in order to commit sexual assault.
Justin Avery had been detained in April for allegedly assaulting multiple women near the Tempe campus of Arizona State University, Phoenix ABC affiliate KNXV reported. Video released by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office appears to show Avery at the Intake Transfer and Release Facility days after his arrest, crawling backward along the edge of an official’s desk.
According to reports, Avery did successfully reach his target, allegedly making his way behind a woman who was asleep and lowering his pants.
Another woman who witnessed Avery’s actions allegedly told him to “get off her,” and Avery allegedly responded by telling the woman to be quiet. The exchange got the attention of an officer, who then called for backup.
He reportedly told police that he had crawled like a “spider” toward his intended target. He also — in crude language — told investigators that he was drawn to the woman’s physical appearance and that he did indeed intend to “rape” her, KNXV reported, citing court records.
Avery was subsequently charged with an additional count of sexual assault.
More from Law&Crime: Dozens of Inmates Raped, Assaulted, and Harassed After Jailer Sold Male Prisoner a Key to Women’s Wing, Federal Lawsuit Claims
Maricopa County authorities say the situation involving Avery is extremely unusual.
“We’re appalled by inmate Avery’s actions at our [Intake Transfer and Release] facility,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement emailed to Law&Crime. “This was a unique incident and the first of its kind in four years, since the ITR facility was open.”
The sheriff’s office said that mirrors have been added “for better monitoring in the blind spots that were identified,” and a review of procedures was conducted.
“The safety of staff and inmates is our top priority, and we’re committed to ensuring this doesn’t happen again,” the statement said, adding: “Inmate Avery has been reclassified due to his institutional behavior.”
According to court documents, Avery has a court hearing scheduled for Tuesday.
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