A 35-year-old man accused of exposing himself and masturbating near children has a lengthy list of recent arrests.
Police say Sami Kasawat committed the lewd act around 3 p.m. last Tuesday in the area of Oakland Park in Virginia Square. He fled the scene but was arrested the next day in Courthouse.
From an Arlington County Police Department press release:
INDECENT EXPOSURE, 2025-06100123, 900 block of N. Oakland Street. At approximately 3:00 p.m. on June 10, police were dispatched to the report of an exposure. Upon arrival, it was determined a witness observed a male suspect outside allegedly expose and touch himself before fleeing the scene. During the course of the investigation, officers identified the suspect and determined the incident occurred within proximity of children playing nearby. At approximately 7:30 p.m. on June 11, officers located the suspect in the 1400 block of N. Adams Street and took him into custody. Sami Kasawat, 35, of No Fixed Address was arrested and charged with Indecent Exposure, Public Masturbation and Indecent Liberties with a Child. He was held without bond.
Kasawat was previously named in a January 2023 press release from the Arlington County Fire Department after he was arrested and charged with setting a fire on an apartment balcony in Columbia Pike.
Court records show he was convicted of arson and sentenced to more than 8 months in jail.
In 2024, Kasawat was named in ACPD crime reports at least three additional times, for incidents in Ballston, Clarendon and East Falls Church.
SHOPLIFTING, 2024-07240079, 4200 block of Wilson Boulevard. At approximately 10:21 a.m. on July 24, 2024, a patrol officer was flagged down by Loss Prevention personnel who reported a larceny. It was reported the male suspect entered the business, allegedly concealed merchandise in duffle bags and a cooler and exited the store without payment. A lookout was broadcast and responding officers located an individual matching the description of the suspect in the area of N. Randolph Street and 9th Street N. and took him into custody. Sami Kasawat, 34, of No Fixed Address was arrested and charged with Shoplifting.
ASSAULT AND BATTERY, 2024-09150111, 2900 block of Wilson Boulevard. At approximately 2:51 p.m. on September 15, 2024, police were dispatched to the report of an assault just occurred. Upon arrival, it was determined the suspect entered the business and began walking towards a restricted area. When confronted by an employee, the suspect allegedly lunged at the employee and attempted to strike them. The employee detained the suspect at the scene until police arrived and took him into custody. No injuries were reported. Sami Kasawat, 34, of Arlington, Va. was arrested and charged with Assault and Battery and Trespassing.
ASSAULT ON POLICE, 2024-11300147, 6400 block of 22nd Street N. At approximately 6:31 p.m. on November 30, 2024, police were dispatched to the 2200 block of N. Sycamore Street for the report of a suspicious person. While investigating the circumstances of the incident, responding officers located the individual near the 6400 block of 22nd Street and attempted to detain him. While being taken into custody, the suspect bit an officer. Sami Kasawat, 35, of Arlington, Va. was arrested and charged with Assault on Police and Obstruction of Justice.
Court records suggest that charges were dropped after the alleged shoplifting incident and September assault, as well as another indecent exposure charge from May 2024.
He was convicted, however, of trespass, petty larceny and violating terms of a suspended sentence or probation stemming from incidents in May, and handed down a pair of sentences for 2 and 3 months.
This past February, Kasawat was sentenced to a year behind bars for the November assault, court records show.
It is unclear why Kasawat was out of jail when he allegedly exposed himself last week. Arlington County police referred ARLnow to the General District Court and Commonwealth’s Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti did not respond to questions about the case and about what local resources are available to recidivist offenders, including those who are unhoused, to break the cycle of repeated arrests.
Kasawat remains in the Arlington County jail, according to Sheriff’s Office records. The most recent cases are being heard in Arlington County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, with the next court appearance set for this coming Monday.
