Justin Avery, an Arizona man already in custody for multiple sexual assaults, is now facing additional charges after allegedly sneaking past jail guards to assault a woman while detained. Avery, who was initially arrested in April for reportedly assaulting several women near the Arizona State University campus in Tempe, is accused of committing the crime at the Intake Transfer and Release Facility.
Surveillance footage captured Avery crawling backward along an official’s desk in an attempt to evade detection. According to reports, he managed to approach a sleeping woman, lowering his pants in the process.
A second woman, who witnessed the horrifying scene, intervened and told Avery to “get off her,” to which he crudely responded by urging her to be quiet. Her confrontation alerted a nearby officer, who quickly called for backup, halting the incident before it escalated further, told the Sun.
In a shocking confession, Avery admitted to the police that he had crawled toward the victim “like a spider” and expressed a desire to “rape” her based on her physical appearance. As a result of this disturbing admission, Avery now faces an additional sexual assault charge, adding to the serious allegations already filed against him.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office expressed deep concern over the incident, describing it as an “extremely unusual” situation. Officials emphasized that this was the first incident of its kind to occur at the facility since it opened four years ago.
“We are shocked and deeply troubled by what took place,” a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office said. “This type of behavior is absolutely unacceptable, and we are working to ensure that it never happens again.”
In response to the incident, the facility has implemented new security measures to prevent similar situations in the future. One of the key changes includes the installation of additional mirrors to improve visibility and eliminate blind spots in areas that were previously difficult to monitor. The sheriff’s office is also reviewing surveillance practices and procedures to ensure that inmates are properly supervised at all times.
This latest development marks another chapter in Avery’s already troubling criminal history. He had previously been arrested after a string of assaults near the Arizona State University campus, leading to his initial detention in April. The new charges, stemming from his actions while in custody, are expected to further complicate his legal situation as he awaits trial.
As the investigation continues, Avery remains in custody. His actions have not only intensified the legal case against him but have also raised questions about security protocols within the detention facility. Authorities have vowed to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of inmates and prevent any similar occurrences in the future.
For now, Avery’s additional charge of sexual assault adds another layer to the case, as the justice system continues to address the series of crimes he is accused of committing both outside and within the jail walls.
