Portland woman groped by cross-dressing man with bloody beard: court docs

A Portland woman says she was allegedly sexually assaulted while standing outside of a market by a bloodied man wearing a dress. Authorities identified the assailant as Joel Thomas Faith, 39, of Portland, who has a history of stalking. Faith was arrested on February 27 and booked into the Multnomah County Jail without bail, records show.

According to court documents obtained by KATU 2, the female victim contacted police to report that she was about to enter the KS Market at Southeast 152nd Avenue and Southeast Division Street when she noticed Faith watching her. Shortly after, Faith allegedly grabbed her buttocks with both hands as she walked past. The victim described Faith, who ran from the scene, as a man with a bloody beard who was wearing a dress.

Portland Police officers located Faith walking behind a Kentucky Fried Chicken at Southeast 146th Avenue and Southeast Division Street about 30 minutes later and took him into custody. Prosecutors said they confirmed the incident after reviewing surveillance video.

Faith has been charged with third-degree sexual abuse and harassment, both misdemeanors. Court records show that Faith had an active warrant for his arrest after being accused of violating a stalking protective order in 2023. The warrant was issued in July 2025, according to court documents.

A Portland woman was granted a protective order against Faith in 2022 after he issued a series of death threats against her. He was in a mental health crisis at the time, and the judge granted the protective order in May 2023.

Faith pleaded not guilty to the new charges on Monday. His next court hearing has not yet been scheduled.