Celina Man Charged With Gross Sexual Imposition Following Alleged Incident at Chief Supermarket

CELINA — A Celina man has been charged with gross sexual imposition following an alleged incident involving a woman at Chief Supermarket.

A complaint filed Friday in Mercer County Common Pleas Court identifies 28-year-old Meel Rowa as the defendant. Rowa faces one count of gross sexual imposition, a fourth degree felony.

According to an affidavit filed by Celina Police Detective Anthony J. Poppe, dispatch received a call at approximately 7:41 p.m. Tuesday, November 10. The woman reported that she had been shopping at Chief Supermarket when a man who identified himself as “Melvin” followed her through the store.

The affidavit states that the man began speaking with the woman, asked whether she had a boyfriend and repeatedly asked her to leave with him. The woman reportedly declined his advances.

The woman told police the man later approached her in the chip aisle, grabbed the top of her pants and reached inside her clothing, allegedly touching her buttock. She pulled away, paid for her groceries, walked home and contacted police.

Police reviewed the store’s surveillance footage the following day. Although the area where the alleged contact occurred was not visible, the affidavit states that video showed a man matching the woman’s description following her through the store. Investigators also reviewed the man’s transaction and used information from the payment card to assist in identifying him.

Detectives later located Rowa at his Celina residence. According to the affidavit, Rowa initially said he had not touched the woman before detectives had mentioned any alleged touching. He later allegedly acknowledged following and speaking with her and described placing his hand inside her clothing.

Rowa was arrested and transported to the Mercer County Jail.

The complaint alleges Rowa had sexual contact with the woman after purposely compelling her to submit by force or threat of force.

Prosecutors requested a $75,000 bond subject to 10 percent. The requested conditions include no alcohol or illegal drug use, random testing, no contact with the woman and an order prohibiting Rowa from entering Chief Supermarket in Celina.

The charge remains pending. Rowa is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.