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'Horrendous and repulsive': Man tried to kidnap, sexually assault girl at gas station, sheriff says

Jerry Cherisme, 33, facing charges of kidnapping, lewd and lascivious behavior, battery, and more
Jerry Cherisme, 33, is facing charges of kidnapping, lewd and lascivious behavior on a victim 12 to 16 years of age, battery, and cruelty toward a child for an incident near Port St. Lucie on Sept. 30, 2024.jpg
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ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. — The St. Lucie County sheriff said a man who's believed to be homeless tried to kidnap and sexually assault an underage girl at a gas station near Port St. Lucie on Monday night.

Jerry Cherisme, 33, is facing charges of kidnapping, lewd and lascivious behavior on a victim 12 to 16 years of age, battery, and cruelty toward a child.

Jerry Cherisme, 33, is facing charges of kidnapping, lewd and lascivious behavior on a victim 12 to 16 years of age, battery, and cruelty toward a child for an incident near Port St. Lucie on Sept. 30, 2024.jpg
Jerry Cherisme, 33, is facing charges of kidnapping, lewd and lascivious behavior on a victim 12 to 16 years of age, battery, and cruelty toward a child for an incident near Port St. Lucie on Sept. 30, 2024.

Sheriff Keith Pearson said Cherisme went up to a teenage girl outside a gas station in the 7900 block of South U.S. 1, wrapped his arms around her from behind, then tried to pull her behind a building while making graphic comments about the size of his private area.

"He had told her that, 'Today's my birthday, I have large genitalia,' then he grabbed her," Pearson said. "He had her in a bear hug, from what was described, had her by the wrists. They said there were red markings on the wrist."

Pearson said the victim fought her way free, ran into the gas station, and notified law enforcement.

"She's going to be traumatized, that's the reality of it," Pearson said.

Witness Marlon Taylor said he saw the whole ordeal.

"I was sitting right here," said Taylor, motioning to the steps in front of the building.

Taylor told WPTV reporter Kate Hussey he saw the 15-year-old girl walk into the convenience store at about 5 p.m.

He said when she walked back out, he saw Cherisme approach her.

"He was talking to her like, 'Oh, c'mere, c'mere, I got something to give you," Taylor said.

Taylor said he watched as Cherisme brought the girl behind the building. Minutes later he said he saw the girl come running out, screaming.

"I was like, what happened? What happened to you? You know, I got scared because she was so red. She kept on crying," said Taylor.

Taylor said he then asked Cherisme what he did to the girl, and watched as the 33-year-old picked up a nearby bike and took off.

"And I sent the cops right over there," Taylor said pointing to a nearby neighborhood.

Marlon Taylor, a witness, speaks to WPTV reporter Kate Hussey about the arrest of Jerry Cherisme.
Marlon Taylor, a witness, speaks to WPTV reporter Kate Hussey about the arrest of Jerry Cherisme.

Body camera footage released by the St Lucie County Sheriff's Office shows deputies arresting Cherisme just minutes later in a nearby community.

"He gave a confession, along the lines that he found the young lady attractive then confirmed the actions that were reported initially," said Pearson.

Pearson said Cherisme was born in Haiti and has been in the United States for a while. He currently has permanent residence status.

"We do not have any documented criminal history, but we believe he is homeless and living in the Port St. Lucie area," Pearson said in a video posted on the Facebook page of the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office.

Taylor showed WPTV a campsite he found behind the building that he believes Cherisme was taking the young girl too.

"He was trying to get her over here. Chair here, chair there, like, this is a bedroom. This is not good!" said Taylor.

Pearson told WPTV News reporter Kate Hussey that he's never seen a case of attempted abduction to this extent in his two-decade career with the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office.

"I have no doubt that Cherisme's intentions were to sexually assault this young teenaged victim," Pearson said. "His behavior is horrendous and repulsive and will not be tolerated here in St. Lucie County. Our message to the community has always been if you see something say something. Yesterday was a perfect example of this. With the help of our community, deputies were able to put Cherisme behind bars where he belongs."

If you recognize Cherisme and believe you may be a victim, call 911 or Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-8477.