EASTLAKE, Ohio — The Eastlake Police Department posted to Facebook to respond to community outrage over the arrest of Richard Adams, who was also charged with felonious assault for attacking a teen he allegedly witnessed molesting a 5-year-old boy.
“We have received numerous e mails, phone calls and communications in which people have expressed their emotions and frustrations with the recent case that we had involving the investigation of a rape of a 5 year old and the assault of the accused 17 year old male,” the post states.
The post goes on to state that Adams has been out on a personal bond since Friday, the day after the incident occurred, and he has been assigned a court date.
“We truly understand the interest, passion and concerns with this type of case,” the post continues. “It has been processed by the court and will continue to go through the system. Most of the people within our police departments, courts and the entire justice system have families of their own and the men and women are diligently working to ensure that everything is done correctly so that justice is served.”
The post concludes: “To attack people within the system to achieve a certain outcome is not what justice is about. We appreciate the impact that this story has had on the community and beyond but we expect people to be civil in expressing their disagreement and/or support of what has and will take place.”
Adams, 20, was arrested and charged after a fight broke out between him and the 17-year-old who he saw sexually assaulting a 5-year-old-boy, according to an Eastlake police report.
Adams said he walked into the living room of the home on East 363rd Street and saw the teen on top of the child with the child’s pants around his ankles.
Adams then yelled for someone to call the police, but made sure the assault was stopped.
“I didn’t just call the cops and let it pursue. I stepped into action and stopped it,” Adams said.
Adams said he couldn’t stop from physically ending the assault because it hit close to home. He said that he had an experience similar to the 5-year-old when he was a child.
News of the incident has made its way across the country and Adams has received a wide range of support, from people calling him a hero to others offering to pay for his legal costs.
RELATED: Man arrested after attacking teen he caught molesting 5-year-old speaks out against charges
See the Eastlake police Facebook post below:
