Fla. magazine salesman charged for sexual assault in Hubbard

By Lee Murray

TheNewsOutlet.org

HUBBARD

A Hubbard woman says she was sexually assaulted in her home Thursday by a Florida man who was going door to door selling magazine subscriptions.

Jessie Lee Frazer was arrested on Jacobs Road, a few doors down from where the alleged assault took place. Police charged him with gross sexual imposition. Police also arrested Travis Singleton, a New Jersey man who they say was present and complicit during the purported assault. He is charged with complicity to gross sexual imposition. Singleton is a registered sex offender with two offenses, in 2003 and 2005. Both offenses involved minors.

The victim, 53, answered the door to Lee and Singleton shortly after noon. She allowed them into her home because it had started raining, she told police.

She had checked their credentials as magazine salesmen, and both men were carrying identification for the company they were working for.

Police said that both men sat at her kitchen table and showed her a catalog showing which magazines were for sale. She offered to purchase one book, but explained that she could not afford to buy any more because of her fixed income.

She told police that Frazer then got up and pinned her arms to the wall and started kissing her and fondled her. She said that Frazer then told her that they could “work something out,” suggesting that they move to her bedroom.

She said that Frazer spoke to Singleton and said that he could take a turn after him.

The victim told them that her friend would be home soon, and they left. She called police immediately. Police were in the neighborhood and arrested both men soon after receiving the call.

Neighbors told police that the men were overly persistent when they called at their door. A nearby family said that the men gave them a “bad vibe.”

“Listen to the little voice in your head,” said city of Hubbard Police Chief James Taafe. “If something feels wrong, close the door and call the police.”

Taafe said that knowing what to check for on credentials is important.

“Companies require a permit to solicit door-to-door in Hubbard,” said Taafe. “This company did not have a permit.”

Both men are being held at Trumbull County Jail. Singleton is being held for complicity to gross sexual imposition with bail set at $100,000. Frazer is being held for gross sexual imposition with bail set at $150,000. A court date is set for July 3 at 9 a.m. at Girard Court.

Police said that, when arrested and sitting in the cruiser, Singleton was up-front with them about his criminal history. He told police that he tried to get Frazer to leave.

Taafe said that after the assault, the two men continued with their workday.

“They just carried on knocking on doors up the street,” Taafe said.

TheNewsOutlet.org is a collaborative effort among the Youngstown State University journalism program, Kent State University, University of Akron and professional media outlets WYSU-FM Radio, The Vindicator, The Beacon Journal and Rubber City Radio, both of Akron.