A man followed a young woman off the light rail in St. Paul and threatened to rape her, according to criminal charges.
Andrew Wardell King, 55, was charged Tuesday in Ramsey County District Court with one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.
The 20-year-old woman told police she had been sketching people on the light-rail platform at Fifth and Sibley streets in St. Paul on Saturday afternoon when she started talking with King, charges say.
The two reportedly boarded the light rail and continued talking as she sketched him. At some point, King became “verbally aggressive,” and the woman decided to leave the train, she told police.
King, of South St. Paul, followed her and pushed her up against the wall before groping her, “forcefully” kissing her and threatening to sexually assault her, the complaint said.
He then tried to grab her and pull her off the platform, according to the complaint.
The woman resisted, and King eventually let her go, according to the complaint. Video footage captured from the light rail’s surveillance system backs up much of the woman’s claim.
Police located King based on the woman’s description and she identified him as the attacker, according to the complaint.
When questioned by officers, King said the woman had told him that she “had fantasies” about being sexually assaulted and that he was worried she might end up reporting his conduct as unwanted, which is why he also called 911, the complaint said.
King called 911 14 minutes after the incident.
He was no longer wearing the jacket he was seen in on video footage when officers stopped him.
When asked if he “ditched” the garment, King said, “I don’t have it,” according to the complaint.
King is scheduled to make his first appearance on the charges Tuesday afternoon. He could not be immediately reached for comment.
King was previously convicted of disorderly conduct.