Anchorage police are looking for a man they say sexually assaulted a 13-year-old at a sleepover.
Police say the 13-year-old girl went to a friend’s house for a sleepover. The father of the friend knows the wanted man, identified by the Anchorage Police Department as 41-year-old Joseph Frederick Melton.
Melton was in the house during the time of the sleepover, an APD release says, adding that ”Melton sexually assaulted the 13-year-old and then subsequently broke his own cell phone in an attempt to keep the victim from calling her parents.”
The 13-year-old reported the assault to people in the home and to her parents as well. Police say the girl’s father received a stalking order against Melton, prohibiting him from having any contact with the girl.
“Since the order was served, Melton has contacted the victim in person and has given her gifts,” APD says. “All indications are that Melton has a fixation on this particular 13-year-old girl and police are concerned for her safety specifically.”
Police say there don’t appear to be any other victims besides the 13-year-old girl — but would like to be contacted if that’s not the case.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Melton on second-degree sexual assault of a minor, a felony, and two counts of violating a restraining order.
APD says Melton is aware of the arrest warrant and is actively trying to avoid being caught.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call APD at 786-8900 or Detective Torres at 786-8573. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 561-STOP.
