A tanning salon owner was arrested Sunday after being accused of watching a customer tan without her permission.
Mark Vandal Gilbert, 39, was charged with observation without consent, according to police spokeswoman Rebecca Royval.
The 18-year-old victim, who is not identified here in accordance with Chattanooga Times Free Press policy, paid for tanning sessions at Electric Beach Tanning Salon on East Brainerd Road, Officer Royval said.
Mr. Gilbert told her how to use the equipment, then she locked the door and began her tanning session in the nude, Officer Royval said. As she was turning over in the tanning bed, she saw a man standing in the room. She screamed and the man ran out of the room, Officer Royval said.
The victim contacted police and a warrant was taken out for Mr. Gilbert, who was the only person working in the salon at the time.
He was taken to Hamilton County Jail, where he posted a $2,500 bail after about two hours, officials said. Mr. Gilbert's court date is set for Feb. 3.
Attempts to reach Mr. Gilbert at his residence were unsuccessful. It is unknown whether he has hired an attorney.
According to Hamilton County court records, this is not the first time Mr. Gilbert has gotten into trouble at the 7550 East Brainerd Road salon. A complaint from Hamilton County General Sessions Court states that Mr. Gilbert was indicted on sexual assault charges related to a 2006 incident at Electric Beach.
According to the complaint, Mr. Gilbert applied spray tan to the buttocks of a 19-year-old female before licking her without consent. In that case, he was granted pretrial diversion, but a hearing is scheduled for the 2006 charge at Hamilton County Criminal Court on Feb. 8.
"If he's done this to her, how many women has he done this to?" said Renee, a family member of Sunday's victim who did not wish to be identified except by her first name. "I don't understand why he is able to still physically own a tanning salon and have his doors open to women, knowing that he has these opportunities on people who don't know the situation."
Mr. Gilbert also was charged with domestic assault in 2009, according to court records. The charge was dismissed and he was referred to counseling at First Things First.