2 men face charges after altercation
A Hobart area man faces a felony count of sexual battery after police said he assaulted a woman during a New Year’s Eve party in Union Township.
Christopher Hicks, 48, of the 500 North block of County Road 625 West, was booked into Porter County Jail on the charge Thursday, according to the jail roster.
According to a report from the Porter County Sheriff’s Department, the alleged victim, 30, told police she went to the party in a pole barn in the 600 West block of County Road 600 North with her boyfriend.
She told police after she went to check on a corn hole game and turned to walk away, she felt someone grab her hair and twist it. She said as her hair was being pulled down, she was forced forward in a bentover position and felt someone behind her. She also alleged the man used his free hand to grope her chest and groin area.
The woman turned around as she was trying to get away and identified the male as Hicks, police said.
“(The woman) advised that at no time did she ask for Christopher to touch her. (She) said the touching was unsolicited,” according to police.
The woman’s boyfriend, Nicholas Roy, 30, of Hammond, has been charged with misdemeanor counts of battery resulting in bodily injury and resisting law enforcement after being arrested New Year’s Eve at the same party because of a physical disturbance with Hicks after Hicks’ alleged assault of Roy’s girlfriend.
Sheriff’s deputies were called to the party around 10:45 p.m. that night for a report of a physical disturbance, according to a report.
Roy, who police said appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, was attempting to get into the driver’s seat of his car when police arrived. He told police Hicks made inappropriate comments toward his girlfriend, which he didn’t receive well.
Hicks told police that Roy became angry over the remark and grabbed Hicks by the neck and punched him in the face. Police said Hicks had a small cut and redness to his upper lip and face.
Police said Roy was uncooperative and forcibly resisted police as they handcuffed him before his transport to Porter County Jail.