BEAUMONT – A recent lawsuit against Academy is alleging the retailer failed to provide security and stop a man from exposing his genitals to shoppers nearly two years ago.
Seeking damages in excess of $1 million, Scott Stroud and Jennifer East filed the suit on behalf of their children on Jan. 9 in Jefferson County District Court.
According to the lawsuit, on Feb. 26, 2016, the minors had accompanied their respective parents to the Port Arthur Academy when another customer, David Humphries, entered the store.
Only minutes after entering, Humphries exposed his genitalia to an Academy employee in the woman’s clothing section, prompting her to run away.
“Defendant, Academy was now on notice that a sex crime has been committed on its property during business hours and did not take any correction action nor did Defendant warn any of the other shoppers that a potential sexual predator was stalking customers in the store,” the suit states.
“For the next ten minutes Humphries can be seen on security video stalking his next victims.”
The suit claims Humphries sexually assaulted the minor children before being detained by store patrons until police arrived.
Academy is accused of negligently failing to provide security and warn customers of its failure to provide security.
The plaintiffs are suing for their mental anguish and medical expenses.
Provost Umphrey attorney Matthew Matheny represents them.
Judge Kent Walston, 58th District Court, has been assigned to the case.
Case No. A-201145