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Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism University of Southern California
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USC's "Booty Bandit" Returns

Three women have come forward saying they were fondled by a man while walking near USC's campus.

Students at the University of Southern California received an email on Saturday about three reports of sexual battery near campus. This comes after the Department of Public Safety told students last Spring about several instances of a man grabbing women on the butt while they were walking near campus. This weekend two women were grabbed on the behind while walking home. 

A third was grabbed on the buttocks after the suspect followed her into Troy Hall, a USC dorm just off campus. The suspect asked her if she knew how to get to the elevator, and then fondled her. She ran away and reported the occurrence to DPS, according to Chief Deputy David Carlisle.

Students refer to the suspect as the booty bandit. Sarah Hansen, a junior at USC, was grabbed last spring while walking home from her dance class during the day. 

"This guy on a bike was lingering by me and we make eye contact and he says ‘hey baby’ — and then he slapped my butt," said Hansen. 

Hansen reported the incident to DPS after a fellow student who saw the incident told her she needed to report the offense. DPS worked with the LAPD to track down Javier Cardoza last year. He was arrested in April, and served time this summer after being convicted of fondling at least 12 females. Deputy Chief Carlisle said the new offenses are most likely not related to Cardoza.

"Never say never but we think it’s another person… I think it’s just certain men get a thrill from doing it but the important thing is it’s against the law and normally we catch these perpetrators."

Although Chief Carlisle said fondling is not uncommon, Carson Klasner, a USC sophomore, still felt too embarrassed to come forward. 

"It almost felt like it was my fault 'cus I was walking alone late at night," said Klasner.

Klasner said last November she was walking by Parking Structure X late at night towards her dorm when a man in a black hoodie drove by on a bike and slapped her on her behind. At the time she chose not to come forward— but now, she regrets that decision. 

"I didnt know what they would do but now I wish I had reported it."

According to California's sexual battery law, any person who touches an intimate part of another person if the touching is against the will of the person touched is guilty of misdemeanor sexual battery.

DPS is working with the LAPD to find the suspect. Until then, DPS encourages students to walk in groups, take campus cruiser or uber home and use the Live Safe DPS app. 

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