Arrested
Calese Crowder has faced multiple arrests and parole violations following allegations of unusual behaviour in California shops involving women Kindel Media/Pexels

Calese Crowder, a 39-year-old registered sex offender dubbed 'Serial Butt Sniffer,' has been arrested again after police allegedly linked him to reports of a man crouching near people and attempting to sniff women's behinds at two Glendale stores.

Crowder was arrested on Friday, 28 August, on suspicion of violating parole and was being held without bail. The latest case has revived attention on a man whose alleged behaviour in shops has resulted in multiple arrests and viral social media posts.

Who Is California's 'Serial Butt-Sniffer'?

Crowder is a registered sex offender whose history of arrests in Glendale and Burbank dates back to 2021, according to police reports.

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation records show convictions for controlled-substance possession, burglary, and robbery. In 2024, he was imprisoned following an attempted first-degree burglary case.

Although sentenced to three years, he received credit for time served and for credits earned while incarcerated before being released to parole supervision in June 2025.

Later that year, Crowder was arrested again after a report of a suspicious person loitering in the women's department of a Nordstrom Rack in Burbank. Police said he was seen following a female customer, crouching near her and 'inappropriately sniffing her buttocks'.

Crowder had left the store before officers arrived but was later spotted at a nearby Walmart, according to the Burbank Police Department.

The 2023 Viral TikTok Incident

His name became widely known in 2023 after Michaela Witter posted a TikTok video alleging that Crowder followed her around a Barnes & Noble in Burbank.

Witter said she initially wondered whether she was being paranoid but began recording after noticing Crowder repeatedly following her. She later described being 'so freaked out' when she turned around and found him crouched extremely close to her.

She also alleged that Crowder behaved similarly towards another woman in the shop. Crowder reportedly told her he was tying his shoe.

Registered Sex Offender Arrested Again

The latest incident began when Glendale police received reports of a man getting close to people at a business on Glenoaks Boulevard.

Surveillance footage obtained by ABC7 at Big Sav Discount Store appeared to show Crowder crouching near an employee who was stocking shelves. Police also responded to a nearby Marshalls following a similar report.

Officers reviewed surveillance footage from the businesses, identified Crowder and later found him in the 100 block of South Brand Boulevard.

He was arrested on suspicion of a parole violation and remained in custody without bail pending his next hearing. The latest arrest does not mean Crowder has been convicted of a new offence.

Crowder has previously faced consequences for parole violations. He admitted to violating parole in 2025 and was sentenced to 99 days in jail in December. In April 2026, he received another 105-day jail sentence for parole violations.

Witness Account

Big Sav manager Jimmy Koh said that the latest incident was the third time he had seen Crowder engage in similar behaviour at the store.

'I know he's harmless, but it's a weird fetish,' Koh said. He alleged Crowder would crouch down, look around and wait for an opportunity to sniff women.

'Crouching down like he normally would, and he'll just look around and try to take the chance to sniff like any woman's butt,' Koh said.

'The first time I caught him, I was like, what is this guy doing? He looks creepy,' he added.

Crowder has not been convicted in connection with the latest arrest.

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