Man arrested for touching feet of children
By: Mark Gruba
Updated: July 17, 2012
Anthony Perri was arrested Tuesday and charged with sexual abuse in the first degree and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child stemming from a noontime incident at the Penfield Public Library.
Investigators said Perri allegedly touched the feet of two minor girls in the children's section of the library around 12:15. Police noted Perri is not the same person they recently spoke with about licking young girls feet, but said his alleged conduct was similar.
As he was brought into his arraignment Tuesday evening at Penfield Town Court, Perri claimed he was set up and pleaded for help. "I'm asking all women and children in Rochester to come forward," he said as Sheriffs Deputies escorted him into the building.
Perri's arrested was prompted by a 911 call from Penfield Library Director Bernadette Brinkman. "A staff member informed me that there was an older gentleman in the children's area who had approached a young girl, engaged in some questionable activities and so I called the Sheriff," she said.
Investigators say it was a six year old girl and another young girl that were touched on their feet by Perri. Court papers indicate Perri removed a shoe and fondled the foot, pressing it against his nose and mouth for the purpose of sexual gratification. The 49 year old pleaded not guilty. "I'm being set up by the President Barack Obama and the city and federal government," he said after the arraignment.
Perri was denied bail based upon two prior felonies. He pleaded guilty to assault in the first degree in 1982 and attempted murder in 1988. He's being held at the Monroe County Jail.
At the Penfield Library, Brinkman said the staff's quick reaction should reassure the community. "I don't think there's any reason to be afraid for your safety and security in the library," she said. "We hold that supreme and take every precaution that we can and respond immediately if something appears to threaten that."
Although Perri remains in jail, Judge James Mulley issued two orders of protection for each victim. Perri was assigned a public defender and is due back in court Monday, July 23 for a preliminary hearing.
Investigators said Perri allegedly touched the feet of two minor girls in the children's section of the library around 12:15. Police noted Perri is not the same person they recently spoke with about licking young girls feet, but said his alleged conduct was similar.
As he was brought into his arraignment Tuesday evening at Penfield Town Court, Perri claimed he was set up and pleaded for help. "I'm asking all women and children in Rochester to come forward," he said as Sheriffs Deputies escorted him into the building.
Perri's arrested was prompted by a 911 call from Penfield Library Director Bernadette Brinkman. "A staff member informed me that there was an older gentleman in the children's area who had approached a young girl, engaged in some questionable activities and so I called the Sheriff," she said.
Investigators say it was a six year old girl and another young girl that were touched on their feet by Perri. Court papers indicate Perri removed a shoe and fondled the foot, pressing it against his nose and mouth for the purpose of sexual gratification. The 49 year old pleaded not guilty. "I'm being set up by the President Barack Obama and the city and federal government," he said after the arraignment.
Perri was denied bail based upon two prior felonies. He pleaded guilty to assault in the first degree in 1982 and attempted murder in 1988. He's being held at the Monroe County Jail.
At the Penfield Library, Brinkman said the staff's quick reaction should reassure the community. "I don't think there's any reason to be afraid for your safety and security in the library," she said. "We hold that supreme and take every precaution that we can and respond immediately if something appears to threaten that."
Although Perri remains in jail, Judge James Mulley issued two orders of protection for each victim. Perri was assigned a public defender and is due back in court Monday, July 23 for a preliminary hearing.
