Man sentenced for grabbing woman in Big Lots parking lot in Ogden

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) - A man accused by several women on Facebook of making inappropriate advances in the Ogden area was found guilty of simple assault Monday.

Jonathan Sarner, who was accused of grabbing a woman in the Big Lots parking lot in Ogden in April, was sentenced 12 months of probation and received a 45-day suspended sentence.

Sarner also was ordered to pay court costs and a $50 fine. He also must wear a SCRAM (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitoring) bracelet for 60 days and continue substance abuse treatment at Oxford House.

A woman told officials that Sarner approached her at Big Lots at 7316 Market Street. She said he pulled up next to her, driving a black Jeep Liberty, and asked to use her cart. She said he told her she was beautiful, then grabbed her hand and squeezed. She said she pulled away, then drove off.

Around that same time frame, several women began posting claims on Facebook that they also had been approached by Sarner.

Sarner admitted to making inappropriate comments toward women but felt there were a lot of false accusations being made about him.