Columbia man accused of sexually abusing woman at gym

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man was charged with three felonies after he allegedly locked a woman in a room at a gym and sexually abused her on Tuesday.

Daniel Melendez, 37, was charged with first-degree sexual abuse, second-degree kidnapping and first-degree burglary. He is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond. An initial court appearance was held on Wednesday and a public defender was appointed.

The heavily redacted probable cause statement says Melendez is a transient who had been sleeping in trees outside the business and had been coming into the business since July. The location and part of the name of the business were redacted.

The victim allegedly tried helping a customer into a tanning booth and walked to another room to clean a separate machine, but was followed by Melendez, the statement says. Melendez allegedly closed the door, locked it and sexually assaulted the victim after she told him he was not allowed in the area and asked him to leave, the statement says.

Police arrested Melendez outside the business.