Attempted Sexual Assault by Man Claiming to be a Peace Officer

JACKSONVILLE – A man accused of attempted sexual assault and impersonating a public servant is in custody in Cherokee County. Arrested was Emmitt Harrell Christian, 22. He is said to have impersonated a police officer and hand cuffed a woman and groped and kissed her. When another car came to the park where the couple were, Christian is said to have released the woman and left.The woman then alerted authorities. With a description of the suspect, Cherokee County sheriff’s deputies found Christian and his pickup at Love’s Lookout.

The woman called 911 to report an attempted kidnapping. She told authorities she was pulled over by a vehicle driven by a white male. He claimed to have arrest power and showed her handcuffs. Based on his physical appearance and the handcuffs, she thought he was a peace officer. He took her to a local park where he placed one of the handcuffs on her wrist. That’s where he groped and kissed her and told her she had to have sex with him. When a vehicle drove into the park and toward the couple, he took of the handcuffs and left.

Cherokee County sheriff’s deputies found a vehicle matching the suspect’s vehicle at Love’s Lookout. The victim later picked Christian out of a photo lineup. In an interview with the suspect, Christian is said to have admitted impersonating a public servant, but denied the sexual assault allegations.