Underage tattoos result in assault charges
By David Harry
Staff Writer
A Sanford man faces assault and other charges after his arrest Sunday for allegedly tattooing two underage girls in South Portland.
Rayvon Freeman, 23, was charged with Class D assault, and Class E charges of tattooing without a license and tattooing a minor. Freeman allegedly went to an apartment in the Redbank area of the city after being contacted online, said South Portland Police Sgt. Steven Webster.
Webster said Freeman gave a teenage and a pre-teen girl tattoos on Aug. 25 at the apartment, violated laws against giving tattoos to anyone under the age of 18 and against giving tattoos without a license and in an unlicensed establishment.
It appears Freeman was using an online social networking site to advertise his services, according to police. His arrest came after the younger of the unrelated minors told her parents about her tattoo, Webster said.
Freeman was released from Cumberland County Jail on $60 bail this week, Webster said, with the bail condition that he not possess equipment for giving tattoos.
Webster and Lisa Brown, the director health inspections for the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, said Freeman’s alleged offenses are part of a largely unrecognized problem with possible serious health consequences.
“Kids do not understand the ramifications and safety issues,” said Webster.
Brown said tattoo artists are licensed to ensure they understand the potential of blood-borne infections including strains of hepatitis and the HIV virus, as well as possible allergic reactions a customer may have.
Brown said her department may receive two or three complaints a month about illegal tattoo operations, tattoo parties or tattoos given to minors. It is illegal to tattoo anyone younger than 18 and to do so outside a licensed establishment, she said.
The departments 11 inspectors covering 12 sets of rules governing areas including restaurants, campgrounds and public pools, Brown said inspectors would like to see more public awareness of the hazards of illegal tattoo operations.
Brown said complaints about illegal tattooing can be directed to the health inspection division of DHHS by calling 287-5671.
A clerk at the Cumberland County Courthouse in Portland said a court date for Freeman has not been scheduled.
Staff Writer David Harry can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 219.
Staff Writer
A Sanford man faces assault and other charges after his arrest Sunday for allegedly tattooing two underage girls in South Portland.
Rayvon Freeman, 23, was charged with Class D assault, and Class E charges of tattooing without a license and tattooing a minor. Freeman allegedly went to an apartment in the Redbank area of the city after being contacted online, said South Portland Police Sgt. Steven Webster.
Webster said Freeman gave a teenage and a pre-teen girl tattoos on Aug. 25 at the apartment, violated laws against giving tattoos to anyone under the age of 18 and against giving tattoos without a license and in an unlicensed establishment.
It appears Freeman was using an online social networking site to advertise his services, according to police. His arrest came after the younger of the unrelated minors told her parents about her tattoo, Webster said.
Freeman was released from Cumberland County Jail on $60 bail this week, Webster said, with the bail condition that he not possess equipment for giving tattoos.
Webster and Lisa Brown, the director health inspections for the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, said Freeman’s alleged offenses are part of a largely unrecognized problem with possible serious health consequences.
“Kids do not understand the ramifications and safety issues,” said Webster.
Brown said tattoo artists are licensed to ensure they understand the potential of blood-borne infections including strains of hepatitis and the HIV virus, as well as possible allergic reactions a customer may have.
Brown said her department may receive two or three complaints a month about illegal tattoo operations, tattoo parties or tattoos given to minors. It is illegal to tattoo anyone younger than 18 and to do so outside a licensed establishment, she said.
The departments 11 inspectors covering 12 sets of rules governing areas including restaurants, campgrounds and public pools, Brown said inspectors would like to see more public awareness of the hazards of illegal tattoo operations.
Brown said complaints about illegal tattooing can be directed to the health inspection division of DHHS by calling 287-5671.
A clerk at the Cumberland County Courthouse in Portland said a court date for Freeman has not been scheduled.
Staff Writer David Harry can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 219.
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