Man Released Without Bail After Subway Foot Fetish Incident

A man accused of inappropriate behavior on the subway, who previously has a record of assault and sex-related crimes, was released on supervised probation after facing charges for exposing himself and attempting to kiss a woman’s foot. The incident occurred at the 14th Street station on June 18, when he was observed complimenting a 30-year-old woman about her toes, then attempting to kiss her feet and exposing himself while making lewd comments.

Surveillance footage showed the suspect, Dexter Betancourt, licking his lips inside the station. After the woman rejected his advances, he bent down towards her feet and made inappropriate remarks before fleeing on a northbound L train. Police arrested him the following day.

Betancourt, 37, appeared in court with a black eye and wearing a cream-colored tracksuit. He referred to a reporter’s question about his alleged foot fetish with an insult. Despite his extensive criminal background—including previous assaults on women and an attempt to punch a police officer—he was released due to bail laws that do not permit detention for the current charges.

He has a list of prior arrests, including attacks on women in 2012 and 2013, where he threw a woman to the ground, choked, and groped her. Both victims were strangers, and he has a documented history of lewd acts and violence.

Current charges account for public lewdness and exposure, but under the state’s bail reform laws, he was released pending future court appearances. Policemen voiced frustration, criticizing the bail system for not adequately preventing repeat offenders with histories of predatory behavior.

Betancourt is scheduled to return to court on August 13. His attorney did not immediately comment on the case.