Virginia major charged after allegedly molesting his 9-year-old relative on a cruise: FBI

 

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Virginia major charged after allegedly molesting his 9-year-old relative on a cruise: FBI

 FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. (WSET) — The Federal Bureau of Investigations has charged an employee of the Franklin County Sheriff's Office in Virginia with abusive sexual contact after an incident with a 9-year-old girl on a cruise ship.

According to court documents from the District Court of Soug

thern Florida, the incident took place while Justin Sigmon, 47, and his family were on a Carnival Cruise, which departed from the Port of Miami on May 25.

On May 26, a witness says they saw Sigmon touch the 9-year-old girl’s inner and upper thighs. The witness reported to authorities that the child was seated on Sigmon's lap for about 10 minutes, and his hands were moving toward her "private area". The witness started to record the incident, which was also captured on ship surveillance cameras. The witness says the girl attempted to push Sigmon's hands away multiple times, but he continued anyway. Court documents say the child crossed her legs to try to prevent the unwanted touching, but Sigmon persisted. The girl then got off his lap and sat in her own chair. The witness says immediately after this, Sigmon used his hands to cover his crotch area, hiding it from public view.

When a forensic interviewer spoke with the child and asked about the incident, she told them she had only been touched on her legs and not in any private areas. She also recalled that she was not touched below her clothes. However, the special agent investigating the incident says video recordings disprove the girl's statements.

Sigmon did consent to an interview with law enforcement where he explained that he understood why his actions may be viewed as inappropriate. He claims that it was not intended to be "sexual," but admitted that if another man touched his daughter in the same way, he would "punch him in the face." Sigmon later told law enforcement he covered his crotch area because he was cold and denied being aroused.

The FBI special agent found that there was probable cause to charge Sigmon with abusive sexual contact of a minor under 12. Records indicate he was charged when the cruise ship docked in Florida on Monday.

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office provided the following statement Saturday:

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