Serial ‘Butt Sniffer’ Arrested Again in Burbank; Community Questions Parole, Policing
Calese Carron Crowder, 38, nicknamed the “Serial Butt Sniffer,” was arrested Aug. 20, 2025, in Burbank on loitering with intent to commit a crime. He is a registered sex offender on active parole amid renewed scrutiny for repeated public lewd behavior.
- Second arrest in two months after an Aug. 20, 2025, incident at a Burbank store; booked into Los Angeles Men’s Central Jail.
- Pattern of offenses includes prior arrests and convictions for indecent exposure, peeping and prowling dating back to at least 2021.
- Community and policy questions over parole supervision, early release and local policing practices have intensified.
Main coverage
Arrests and charges
Burbank police say Calese Carron Crowder was taken into custody late on Aug. 20, 2025, at a local store after a woman reported he had sniffed her buttocks. Authorities charged him with loitering with intent to commit a crime and booked him into Los Angeles Men’s Central Jail, where reports say he is being held without bail.
This August arrest follows a July 2025 detention at the Nordstrom Rack in Burbank’s Empire Center, where surveillance footage reportedly showed Crowder following women and acting lewdly. Local reporting and public records note that parole issues have affected how some complaints were handled and whether charges were pursued or sustained.
Sources reporting on the arrests include FOX 32 Chicago, KOMO News and The Independent.
Past incidents and criminal history
Reports document a history of similar offenses: convictions and arrests for burglary, robbery, indecent exposure, peeping and prowling. Crowder was sentenced in 2023 to one year in jail for indecent exposure but was released early, a fact that has prompted questions about sentencing and supervision for repeat offenders.
Crowder first became widely known after a viral August 2023 TikTok posted by Michaela Witter showed him appearing to sniff two women at a Barnes & Noble in Burbank, which led other alleged victims to come forward about incidents at stores including Urban Outfitters and Marshalls.
Surveillance footage and community tips
Local media and law enforcement reports cite surveillance video showing Crowder crouching behind women in stores, following them and engaging in lewd behavior. In one July 2025 case, police located and detained him at a nearby Walmart after tracking surveillance leads and shopper tips.
“Surveillance records and public tips have been crucial in documenting the pattern and supporting arrests,” local reporting noted.
Law enforcement response and public appeals
Burbank police have urged anyone who believes they were targeted to contact the department. Authorities say some cases faced legal hurdles—one August complaint was initially dropped as an “insufficient complaint”—but parole status has allowed officials to detain Crowder while investigations continue.
Public officials in Burbank and Glendale have faced scrutiny over case handling. Conservative community members and business owners have expressed frustration about early release and parole supervision, while victim advocates call for stronger enforcement and better support for those targeted.
Implications for the High Desert, California
Economic and public safety impact: Coverage of repeated incidents in neighboring cities could reduce shopper confidence, potentially lowering foot traffic at malls and retail centers in the High Desert. Business owners may feel pressure to increase security—hiring guards, adding cameras, improving store sightlines—and coordinate reporting protocols with police.
Political consequences and public trust: The Crowder case raises questions about parole supervision and early-release policies. Local officials and county supervisors may face constituent pressure to review parole procedures and consider legislative or policy changes to address repeat sex-offender cases.
Social effects and community safety: Residents—particularly women and parents—may feel heightened concern. Community groups, neighborhood watches and faith-based organizations could respond with safety workshops, self-defense classes and coordinated reporting efforts with law enforcement.
Cultural and practical relevance
The case highlights the intersection of social media, public safety and criminal justice. Social platforms helped identify incidents and witnesses but also amplified anxiety and sometimes spread graphic descriptions that can complicate formal investigations. Practical local steps include urging retailers to post emergency contact information, improving lighting in parking areas and coordinating with county parole offices for meaningful supervision.
Reporting and follow-up
Burbank police continue to investigate the Aug. 20 incident and other reports tied to Crowder’s history. Court filings and Los Angeles County case records may reveal more about charges, hearings and parole actions in coming weeks. Officials have asked anyone with information to come forward to assist investigations.
Sources
- FOX 32 Chicago: Serial ‘Butt Sniffer’ arrested again in California
- KOMO News: Sex offender nicknamed ‘serial butt sniffer’ on social media arrested again in California
- The Independent: Butt-sniffer California arrest coverage
- The Independent: Additional coverage of California butt sniffer arrests
Reporting by Times Media Service; additional reporting from the linked sources.
