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A standard evening of thrills at one of Ohio’s premier amusement parks turned into a public nightmare, resulting in a dramatic foot pursuit, a police Taser deployment, and an all-inclusive corporate ban. On Tuesday, May 26, 2026, an 18-year-old was arrested at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, after allegedly targeting and publicly degrading a transgender female guest.
The suspect, identified as Marquez Williams of Fremont, Ohio, has since maintained his innocence in court. However, the parent company of Cedar Point has responded with a swift, zero-tolerance policy, ensuring the teenager is legally barred from entering any of its amusement parks worldwide.
The Midway Attack and Taser Arrest
The disturbing incident unfolded at approximately 8:30 p.m. in a heavily crowded park midway. According to investigative reports from the Sandusky Police Department, the victim was walking with her friend, April Dempster, to celebrate a birthday when Williams approached from behind.
Without warning, Williams intentionally pulled down the victim’s skirt and underwear, entirely exposing her in front of a crowd that included multiple young children. Witnesses reported that the humiliation was a deliberate act; Williams allegedly used his mobile phone to film the assault while laughing before fleeing the scene. The victim explicitly stated to responding officers that she believed she was targeted “strictly because they are transgender”.
Rather than letting the suspect escape, April Dempster immediately pursued him across the park.
“I ran from the midway all the way to the front gate,” Dempster later recalled. “And when I got to the front gate I saw him and I saw a security officer. So I flagged a security officer while I was running, and kept pointing at the guy”.
Williams then bolted past the front turnstiles and sprinted directly into the main Cedar Point parking lot, weaving between rows of cars as the park was letting out. After the teenager repeatedly ignored direct verbal commands from officers to halt, police deployed a stun gun to bring him to the ground. Williams was treated at a local hospital for a minor facial scrape before being booked into the Erie County Jail.
Legal Fallout and Corporate Crackdown
On Wednesday, June 3, 2026, Williams appeared before Judge Michael Kaufman in the Sandusky Municipal Court for his formal arraignment. Standing with his defense counsel, Williams entered a plea of not guilty to a modified list of criminal counts.
The prosecution adjusted the initial charges significantly:
- Dismissed: The original charge of public indecency was officially dropped. WKYC
- Maintained: Not guilty pleas were entered for persistent disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and obstructing official business. WKYC
- Added: A brand-new charge of first-degree misdemeanor theft was leveled against the teenager. WKYC
Williams had previously been released from custody after posting 10% of an $8,000 bond ($800). In a twist that generated heavy public backlash online, Williams returned to his hometown. He was permitted to walk across the stage at his high school graduation ceremony less than a week after his arrest.
While the criminal case works its way through the Ohio judicial system, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation—the parent company of Cedar Point—moved swiftly to execute the ultimate corporate penalty. A park spokesperson released a definitive statement:
“Cedar Point is a family-friendly environment, and we do not tolerate disruptive or inappropriate behavior. Guests who violate our Code of Conduct are not welcome in our parks, and this guest has been banned from all Six Flags parks for life”.
To ensure strict adherence, Judge Kaufman codified this restriction directly into the suspect’s active bond conditions, warning Williams that entering any Six Flags property or making any form of contact with the victim would result in his immediate re-arrest. Williams is scheduled to return to court in the coming weeks for a mandatory pretrial conference.
