A man from Fairview Heights, Illinois, has admitted to sexually assaulting a woman at Gateway Arch National Park in 2023. Monte Derrell Boatman, 37, pleaded guilty to one felony count of aggravated sexual abuse in U.S. District Court in St. Louis.
Boatman confessed to the assault that took place on December 6, 2023, around 5:30 p.m. He traveled via Metro from Fairview Heights and got off at Laclede’s Landing around 5:15 p.m. Surveillance footage captured him passing the victim near 4th Street and Washington Avenue at approximately 5:19 p.m., after which he turned and followed her.
He later attacked the victim by grabbing her from behind and threatening her with a razor before forcing her into nearby bushes where the assault occurred. Boatman threatened the victim’s life multiple times during the incident.
Rangers with the National Park Service arrested Boatman two days later following a struggle that led to one ranger needing medical attention. At that time, Boatman had an active arrest warrant for violating probation related to a 2009 armed robbery case in Southern Illinois.
Boatman’s sentencing is set for November 12. The charge carries a potential penalty of up to life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both. However, both the U.S. Attorney’s office and Boatman’s attorney have agreed on recommending a sentence of 28 years in prison followed by supervised release for life.
The investigation was conducted by the National Park Service along with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jillian Anderson is handling the prosecution of this case.
