Elk City, OK – An Elk City man is facing felony charges after investigators allege he followed a woman into a restroom at a local travel stop, attempted to confine her inside a stall, and admitted he intended to solicit a sexual act.
Joshua Ray Britton Sr., 39, has been charged in Beckham County District Court with kidnapping and sexual battery stemming from an incident that occurred during the early morning hours of July 22 at an Elk City travel stop on the east side of the city.
According to a probable cause affidavit, officers responded around 3:30 a.m. after receiving reports that a woman had been assaulted inside the business’s women’s restroom. Witnesses told officers the suspect fled the restroom and later became involved in a physical altercation with the woman and members of her family before running from the scene.
Investigators reported finding a bicycle, backpack, clothing, personal belongings, and a wallet containing Britton’s identification near the southeast corner of the business. The woman later identified Britton from his driver’s license photograph, according to the affidavit.
The affidavit states the woman told officers she entered a restroom stall after stopping at the travel center while traveling through Elk City with family members. Believing another woman had entered the restroom, she opened the stall door and instead encountered a man wearing only a shirt, underwear, and socks. She told investigators he rushed into the stall, attempted to close the door, and used his body to force his way inside. She pushed him away, screamed for help, and ran from the restroom.
Officers later located Britton hiding behind the business. After being advised of his rights, Britton initially told investigators he had entered the women’s restroom because the men’s restroom stalls were occupied and that he was changing clothes. During a later recorded interview, investigators allege Britton admitted he had watched the woman walk toward the restroom, followed her inside, removed his shoes and pants, and intended to ask her to perform a sexual act. According to the affidavit, Britton also admitted grabbing the woman by the waist as she attempted to leave the restroom and acknowledged fleeing from officers when they arrived.
The affidavit states investigators collected written witness statements, photographs, videos recorded during the incident, and were awaiting surveillance footage from the business at the time the affidavit was completed.
An associate district judge later found probable cause for Britton’s warrantless arrest, and bond was initially denied pending his appearance before the court.
Britton’s first court appearance is scheduled for August 24.
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