On August 26, 2024, the Fairview Heights Police Department received a report of indecent exposure at the convenience store. An employee observed a male suspect expose his genitalia by removing it from his pants and handling it in a lewd manner. The employee also reported this same individual had exposed himself in the same manner to two additional employees on the previous day.
The suspect was quickly identified as THONCHEL B. BRAZIER-SCOTT (AGE 32), who had recently applied for a job at the same store. Following this identification, Fairview Heights detectives issued a BOLO (Be On the Lookout) alert, which was promptly distributed to patrol units.
On August 30, 2024, a Fairview Heights patrol officer recognized the suspect riding a bicycle in the vicinity and, after confirming his identity, took him into custody without incident.
Brazier-Scott is a registered sex offender who had failed to register his new address with the police department after moving to the area from Springfield, IL, placing him out of compliance with state law. Additionally, it the store is located within 500 feet of a secondary school, where classes were in session, and children were present at the time of the incident. This proximity constitutes an additional charge due to the nature of the offense.
This case was presented to the St. Clair County State State’s Attorney, James Gomric’s office, and the following charges were issued:
-24CF0150601 Fail to Register as a Sex Offender – Subsequent (Class 2 Felony)
-24CF0150602 Public Indecency – Subsequent (Class 4 – Felony)
-24CF0150603 Public Indecency – Subsequent (Class 4 – Felony)
-24CF0150604 Public Indecency Within 500 Feet of School (Class 4 – Felony)
The Fairview Heights Police Department is committed to ensuring the safety of our community and will continue to work diligently to bring justice to all involved. At the time of this writing, Brazier-Scott is being held at the St. Clair County Jail pending his court date.
*Required by the Illinois Supreme Court: All persons charged with a crime are innocent until found guilty in a court of law.
THONCHEL B. BRAZIER-SCOTT (AGE 32)