Man suing Sport Clips, saying barber in Salinas sexually assaulted him
Chase McGill told KION he is still scarred after an incident he said took place almost three months ago.
On April 30th, McGill said he walked into Sport Clips on North Main Street in Salinas. He said he was expecting to get a haircut when a barber began touching him inappropriately. “Next thing I know he is coming up, I guess, to edge up from the front of my hair. My hair is long so that was odd. He was leaning in to edge up my hair and he went down and grabbed my crotch,” said McGill.
Stunned, McGill said he got up, paid for his haircut, and called the police.
Salinas Police said the barber, who allegedly assaulted McGill, is 28-year-old, Jose Luis Aguilar. He was cited on April 30th for sexual battery.
McGill said the shop’s manager admitted to police that this was not the first time a client had complained about Aguilar. “I wasn’t the first person that this happened to. It wasn’t like it was a fluke. There were three other people prior to this happening to me. I was just the first to reach out,” said McGill.
Since McGill reported the incident, Salinas Police said more victims have come forward. Spokesperson for the Salinas Police Department, Miguel Cabrera, said others revealed they, too, were assaulted by Aguilar. “At least two more people made similar allegations against the same person. Our officers investigating the case are following up on those leads,” said Cabrera.
McGill’s attorney, John Kristensen, claimed Sport Clips knew about the history of complaints against Aguilar and didn’t do anything about it.
“Someone is abusing the power of their profession. It’s not something that should be okay or forgiven,” said Salinas resident, Angel Leon.
McGill said he wants other possible victims to know they have his support. “You don’t have to feel ashamed. Just go forward and make these people hold up to their own and face what they did,” said McGill.
Salinas Police said no additional charges have been filed against Aguilar, but that could change as they gather more information. Salinas Police said the case has been handed over to the Monterey County District Attorney for now.
