Smithfield man charged for indecent assault, exposure to two healthcare workers
Charges have been filed against a Smithfield man after he allegedly assaulted two home health care workers.
James Regish Martin Jr., 61, of 18 Grace Lane was charged on Friday with unlawful restraint, indecent assault, indecent exposure and harassment before Magisterial District Judge Dan Shimshock.
A home health care worker told state police that she was helping Martin into a recliner from his motorized wheelchair on March 10 when he put his arms around her, tightly hugged her and started kissing her behind her ear.
The woman asked Martin to turn around, but he grabbed her before she could walk away and pulled her onto his lap, kissing her neck and pulling her back in the chair as it reclined, police alleged.
Martin then put his hands up the woman’s shirt and started to fondle her, telling her he wanted to have sex with her, police said.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, when Martin tried to reposition himself in the chair, the woman was able to remove herself from his grasp and exit the residence.
The next day, police interviewed another home health care worker, who told them that when she was at his home, Martin called her back to his bedroom where he was naked and sitting in his motorized wheelchair.
The Herald-Standard doesn’t identify alleged victims of sexual crimes.
On June 7, police interviewed Martin, who admitted to grabbing and fondling one woman, but said it was after she had fallen on him.
Martin is awaiting a preliminary hearing to be scheduled.