Indecent Liberties With Child Charge Levied In Arlington Exposure Incident

ARLINGTON, VA — A 35-year-old man is facing multiple charges, including taking indecent liberties with a child, in connection to an exposure incident that occurred Tuesday afternoon in the Virginia Square neighborhood, according to authorities.

Arlington County Police officers responded around 3 p.m. to the report of an indecent exposure in the 900 block of North Oakland Street, according to the incident report. A witness told police that they had seen a man outside exposing and touching himself, before fleeing the scene.

Through their investigation, police confirmed that children were nearby when the incident occurred. They also identified the suspect as Sami Kasawat of an undetermined address, authorities say.

Around 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, police located Kasawat in the 1400 block of North Adams Street. They arrested and charged him with indecent exposure, public masturbation and indecent liberties with a child, according to police. He was then held without bond.

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Kasawat was scheduled to be arraigned on all three charges on Thursday morning in Arlington Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, but the court appearance was continued to Friday morning, according to court documents. A preliminary hearing has not been set.

The indecent exposure and simulated masturbation charges are considered Class 1 misdemeanors. Under the Code of Virginia, each carries a potential penalty of up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.

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The indecent liberties with a child under 15 charge is a Class 6 felony. If convicted of this charge, Kasawat could be facing up to five years in prison, or a jail sentence of up to 12 months, along with a potential fine of up to $2,500, under the Code of Virginia.

Arlington County Police arrested Kasawat on May 3, 2024 on a misdemeanor indecent exposure charge, according to court records. Although the case was adjudicated in Arlington General District Court, the prosecutor declined to prosecute.