California repeat offender sentenced to 170 days after viral ‘butt-sniffing’ incidents

Calese Crowder, 39, was taken into custody on Aug. 28 after Glendale officers responded to multiple complaints of a man smelling women’s backsides at retail locations, including Marshalls and a Barnes & Noble in Burbank. He was sentenced Tuesday to 170 days in Los Angeles County jail, of which 12 days have been credited, and will be placed back on parole after his release. Crowder’s criminal record exceeds 40 arrests, ranging from burglary to indecent exposure, and he is a registered sex offender with incidents dating back to 2021.

A TikTok video of his behavior went viral, intensifying public outrage. Critics argue that California’s “soft-on-crime” policies, especially the reductions enacted by Proposition 47 and Proposition 57, allow repeat offenders like Crowder to cycle through short incarcerations without lasting protection for the community.