Teen Girl Assaulted In Gulfport Beach Restroom, According To Police

GULFPORT, FL — A 38-year-old St. Petersburg man was arrested after being accused of pretending to be a Gulfport city employee and following a 16-year-old girl into a bathroom and assaulting her.

Antonio Neon Gowins was charged with felony child abuse.

According to Gulfport police, Gowins followed a 16-year-old girl into the women's restroom at Gulfport Beach and made inappropriate comments. Police said he told the teen that he worked for the city and told her to use the bathroom while he waited inside with her. When she refused, Gowins left the bathroom, but appeared at the back door of the restroom as she started to leave.

Police said he pushed the teen up against a corner of the restroom and grabbed her as a witness entered the restroom and saw the assault occur.

When the witness went to the girl's aid, Gowins left on a bicycle, but was later stopped by officers and identified by the witness.