CRANSTON, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island police responding to reports of social media videos showing a man leading a 17-year-old girl around on a leash, and the girl drinking from a vodka bottle, arrested the man but not because he kept a teenager on a leash.
Police say 25-year-old John McEvoy was arrested Aug. 2 after police witnessed what appeared to be a drug transaction and because he fought with officers.
The Cranston man pleaded not guilty to resisting arrest, simple assault and obstructing an officer.
As for the leashed girl, police say she told them she wasn’t doing anything against her will, and they couldn’t prove she was drinking alcohol.
McEvoy tells WLNE-TV his interactions with the girl were consensual and she was drinking water.
State child welfare officials say the girl is safe.