A man with a foot fetish was arrested by North Augusta Public Safety on Friday, just days after he was accused of approaching women to kiss and smell their feet at the Aiken Walmart, police said.

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Joey Leaphart

Joey William Leaphart, 42, of Langley, is a registered sex offender who pleaded guilty to committing a lewd act on a minor in 2000. Court records show he sucked and licked the toes of an 11-year-old girl in Langley.

In 2002, jurors found Leaphart innocent of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature after he was accused of forcing himself on a 22-year-old woman’s foot.

On Friday, Leaphart was arrested and charged with soliciting for contribution after approaching women in North Augusta Plaza and asking for money, according to North Augusta Public Safety.

“Whereas, Leaphart has not yet been connected to any criminal misconduct stemming from North Augusta’s solicitation incident, officers with Public Safety believe his behavior to be odd and suspicious,” Public Safety spokesman Lt. Tim Thornton wrote in a news release.

The department urges women traveling alone to use caution. Anyone with a similar personal interaction with Leaphart is asked to call North Augusta Public Safety at (803) 279-2121.