September 07, 2016
A man was arrested in connection with the alleged assault of a fellow delegate during the Democratic National Convention, the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office announced.
Walter Weeks, of Garnet Valley, Delaware County, surrendered to police Wednesday around 4 p.m. and was charged with indecent assault, a second-degree misdemeanor.
The D.A.'s office initially declined to pursue charges in the case after an "incomplete investigation." Additional video and eyewitness testimony have since emerged, which allowed charges to be filed.
The case received national attention after the alleged victim started an online petition blasting the original decision.
Bernie Sanders delegate Gwen Snyder said in the petition, which was titled "DA Williams, Don't Let Alcohol Be A Get-Out-Of-Jail-Free Card for Sexual Violence," that the incident occurred on July 27 around 2:30 a.m. at a bar inside a Center City hotel. Snyder claimed that Weeks asked her for a hug, but instead licked her breasts.
After reporting the incident to police, Snyder was allegedly informed by representatives of the D.A.'s office that charges would not be filed because the attacker "had been drinking to excess."
On Twitter, Snyder praised District Attorney Seth Williams' decision to file charges:
My assaulter is officially in custody. Thank you everyone for your support urging @DASethWilliams to prosecute my case--organizing works!
— Gwen Snyder (@gwensnyderPHL) September 7, 2016
The D.A.'s office did not comment any further.
