San Antonio Police Investigate Claims of Sexual Assault at Tattoo Shop
In an unsettling turn of events, San Antonio authorities are actively investigating claims of sexual assault that allegedly took place at a tattoo shop in the area. The alleged victim, who is an 18-year-old woman, has bravely come forward, sharing her experience and raising awareness about her harrowing situation.
The Encounter
On December 9, the young woman mentioned that she met the tattoo artist for the first time. After being offered part-time work at Tattoo Monkey, he offered her a free tattoo in exchange for her time and effort that day. “He’s known to be quite popular in San Antonio for tattooing,” she remarked, recalling the initial pleasant encounter.
However, things took a disturbing turn once the artist began placing the stencil on her leg. “Right then and there, he starts to get a little touchy,” she explained, noting that while she initially thought it might be an accident, the situation escalated quickly. She alleged that, during the tattooing process, he was also sexually assaulting her, an ordeal that she described lasting for hours.
A Frightening Situation
The victim described feeling overwhelmed by fear. “I’m 18, I’m young, I didn’t know what to do in that situation,” she said, emphasizing how the artist had spoken about his past experiences in prison, which only heightened her anxiety. “Before all of this, he was preaching about how he’s been to prison, so I was scared.” In such a distressing moment, she felt trapped, opting to lay still and wait for the situation to end. “I just put on music and just waited for it to be over,” she stated.
The artist eventually left to grab food, telling her to clean up the shop. At that moment, she seized the opportunity to leave the premises. “That’s when I finally got out of there,” she mentioned.
Taking Action
Feeling compelled to share her story, the next morning she took to a Facebook group to warn others about her experience. “My DMs started flooding from girls who said ‘Oh, he’s done this to me too,’” she shared, astonished that she was not alone in her experience. Realizing the severity of the situation, she decided it was time to involve the police and filed a report.
Upon visiting the police department, she was sent to the hospital for a SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) exam, ensuring she received the appropriate care and evidence collection. A significant detail she noted was that the tattoo shop had a surveillance camera. However, she recalled the artist had strategically placed a privacy screen, shielding the camera from capturing the tattooing process. “Looking back on it, I could tell he was planning on it basically,” she expressed, emphasizing her concern about the incident.
Shop Owner’s Response
Meanwhile, the owner of Tattoo Monkey responded to the allegations by stating that the artist had been immediately fired after learning of the claims. The owner, wishing to remain anonymous, revealed that the tattoo artist had only been with the shop for less than six months and that he had not received any complaints until now. He expressed his willingness to assist the victim and investigators. “If these allegations are true, I believe they’re a danger to the public,” he said.
A Voice for Others
The victim remains hopeful after speaking with a detective who advised her to be patient as the investigation unfolds. She feels a sense of responsibility in sharing her story, stating, “I’m glad I spoke up and I did something about it.”
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, it’s important to reach out for help. You can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at (800) 656-HOPE (4673) for support and resources.
