Medford, Oregon- A man was arrested Friday morning after Medford police responded to reports of indecent exposure near the downtown central library and discovered what investigators later determined to be a sexual assault in progress.
Officers were dispatched at approximately 9:50 a.m. to the intersection of Central Avenue and 9th Street, where witnesses reported seeing a man and a woman engaged in sexual activity in public. Responding officers quickly determined the encounter was non-consensual and detained the male suspect at the scene.
Police identified the suspect as Malachi J. Pollard, 36, of Medford. The victim, a 68-year-old woman, was not previously known to Pollard, investigators said. Evidence collected at the scene indicated that Pollard forcibly initiated sexual contact.
Pollard was arrested and lodged in the Jackson County Jail on charges of attempted first-degree rape, attempted first-degree sodomy, and first-degree sexual abuse.
Authorities noted that Pollard is currently on probation for non-sexual assault-related offenses and has a significant criminal history. However, investigators said there is no indication that he is connected to any unsolved similar crimes in the area.
The case has been referred to the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
All suspects are believed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law
Source: MPD
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