A man accused of trying to kiss a woman’s foot in a subway station was released without bail on Wednesday as Manhattan prosecutors shared more details about the troubling case.
Dexter Betancourt, 37, appeared in a Manhattan criminal court with dark eyes, and his release was granted under the state’s law enforcement reforms that made bail unnecessary for certain offenses.
Betancourt was arrested after allegedly behaving indecently toward a 30-year-old woman, complimenting her “lovely toe” while at a subway station near 14th Avenue and 6th Avenue on June 18th.
With multiple prior arrests—nearly 12 for various offenses—he faced charges including public indecency. Despite this history, a Manhattan judge decided to release him into supervised custody.
An understandably frustrated officer commented, “Why let a known pervert roam free, especially with his track record on the subway?”
Sources suggested that lawmakers may not have fully considered the implications of their bail reforms on individuals with foot fetishes.
Officers reported that Betancourt and the victim exited the eastbound L train around 1 a.m. in Greenwich Village. Allegedly, he said, “I have toes,” in reference to her feet.
After the woman rejected his advances, he bent down in an attempt to kiss her feet and exposed himself, according to police reports.
Surveillance footage showed him licking his lips at the station, but he managed to escape on a northbound L train before being apprehended on Tuesday.
In court, Betancourt, wearing a cream-colored Nike jumpsuit and sporting a black left eye, became defensive when questioned about a potential foot fetish. “Your mother has a foot fetish!” he reportedly blurted out.
His past offenses include attacking a 27-year-old woman in 2013 and assaulting another woman the same year. Details indicate he has a history of violent behavior toward strangers.
Additionally, in 2012, he allegedly attempted to attack a police officer after being caught smoking marijuana.
Christopher Herr, Betancourt’s attorney, did not respond immediately to requests for comments.
Betancourt is set to return to court on August 13th.
