Warren Township man charged with importuning
NILES
A 52-year-old Warren Township man was arraigned Monday morning in Niles Municipal Court on charges of felony importuning and misdemeanor assault, menacing and trespassing, accused of grabbing a juvenile female at a restaurant in the Eastwood Mall complex last week and holding her in a bear hug while making sexual comments to her.
Melvin V. White, of Bane Street, is in the Trumbull County jail in lieu of $7,500 on the charges.
White let go of the girl after a male friend of the girl intervened, Niles police said. White is also accused of threatening the male. The trespassing charge was filed because White is banned from mall property, police said.
White was convicted of committing public indecency in Niles in June, and police say he has been known to panhandle for food in the city.