Unwanted Hug Lands Man Behind Bars

HOLIDAY, FL — A 48-year-old Hudson man faces criminal charges after Pasco County deputies say gave a woman a hug in a Holiday parking lot Monday night. While that might not seem like a major offense, deputies also say Jerry Lee Campbell forced his way into the driver’s seat of the woman’s vehicle to deliver the embrace. She was sitting in it at the time.

The incident that led to Campbell’s arrest began to unfold around 8:15 p.m. Aug. 28 in a parking lot in the 6000 block of Madison St. Deputies say Campbell approached the woman before she got into her vehicle and asked for spare change. The woman declined Campbell’s request, walked to her car and vehicle and got in, an arrest report said.

Get the New Port Richey Patch newsletter and alerts in your inbox. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app.

As she was sitting in the vehicle, Campbell allegedly walked over, opened the door and sat down next to her in the driver’s seat she was occupying. He then “hugged and touched” her while she yelled at him to get out, the arrest report said. Before complying with the requests to leave, deputies say Campbell “tapped her forehead.”

Like New Port Richey Patch on Facebook and keep reading below:

Following his arrest, deputies say Campbell admitted to entering the vehicle and giving the woman a hug. He, however, said he did it to thank her “and to avoid the rain,” the arrest report said.

Since he wasn’t invited into the vehicle and the hug wasn’t wanted, deputies charged Campbell with burglary and simple battery. He was booked into the Land O’ Lakes Jail Monday night. The arrest reported noted a $50,000 bond request.

Booking photo courtesy of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office