MONDAY ON NBC, it's an all new two hour return of the American Gladiators with new Gladiators and new events. Then on ten at ten, imagine going through an expensive medical treatment and having the money from a fundraiser just disappear. Could this happen to you? Mike McKnight investigates what questions you should ask before handing your money over to someone who promises a surefire investment. "Show Me My Money", Monday at ten only on 6 News.
The Weather Authority
Currents
Doppler Radar
7-Day
Find a Local Business with Local Lookup
 
WOWT.com on Demand
  • 6 On Your Cell
  • RSS Feeds
  • Desktop Alert
  • Text Alerts
  • Daily E-News
  • What’s on 6
  • MarketPlace
  • Restaurants
  • Auto Map
  • Business Connections
  • Financial Advice
  • Legal Advice
  • New Home Listings
  • Your Home, Your Investment
  • Entertainment
  • Recipes
  • Education
  • Jobs
  • The Wedding Planner
  • Martha's Tip of the Day
  • Advertise With WOWT
  • Man Cited For Inappropriate Conduct Save Email Print
    Captured in surveillance camera
    Posted: 8:37 PM Mar 20, 2008
    Last Updated: 8:37 PM Mar 20, 2008

    A | A | A

    Surveillance video from a Wal-Mart store in Papillion has led authorities to a man believed to be responsible for groping a woman shopping there.

    A story about the incident was broadcast on Channel 6 Wednesday night and tips led police to a suspect.

    A woman told authorities that the man walked up to her, made inappropriate remarks and then groped her.

    Police say 57-year-old Donald Maher of Omaha has been cited for disturbing the peace.

    Email  del.icio.us   Google   Yahoo  digg
    More Stories
    Bond Set for Three of Four in Marriott Melee

    Alleged Theft Investigated

    Alleged Assailant Falls Through System Cracks

    Major Omaha Street Closed

    Shooting Investigation

    Kristin's Crash Course in Mobile Threats

    Teens Need to Get the Text Message

    Case Underscores ID Theft Threat

    Post Your Comments
    First Name:
    Location:
    Enter Comments: characters left
    Email (optional):
    Email will not be displayed on site. For station contact purpose only.
    Read Comments
    Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
    Posted by: John Location: Omaha on Mar 26, 2008 at 09:45 PM
    Juan, your comments about Omaha not being as bad as L.A. give rise to a whole new set of issues. Omaha may not be as bad as L.A. yet, but Omaha as well as the rest of the country is losing ground in the battle against crime and the preservation of civilization. It wasn't that long ago (for those of us who are old enough to remember) that L.A. wasn't as bad as Omaha is now. Almost daily we read of crime in Omaha and other parts of the U.S. which was almost unheard of 10 or 15 years ago. Unfortunately it's just your brand of Pseudo-intellectualism that serves as an anchor around the necks of those who would seek to regain the standard of living and quality of life which Americans enjoyed not so long ago.

    Posted by: JJ Location: OMAHA on Mar 26, 2008 at 03:28 PM
    HOW CAN THIS GUY BE CITED FOR DISTURBING THE PEACE? THE GUY IS A PERVERT,THAT IS NOT DISTURBING THE PEACE,HE SHOULD VAVE BEEN CITED FOR OBCEEN BEHAVIOR.

    Posted by: Pam Location: Illinois on Mar 26, 2008 at 10:37 AM
    If he wasn't doing anything wrong why did he leave the store so quickly? Plus he is MARRIED, why is he out "trolling" for women at 11:00 at night unless he's up to no good??

    Posted by: anonymous Location: omaha on Mar 24, 2008 at 05:19 PM
    David-im the one that posted about him being a former softball coach, and i think i know him well enough to know that he is a creeper! im completely disturbed by what happend, and i know that he would be the type of person to do something like that. i think its absurd that he just got a DTP. i mean...just passing by? that wouldn't make an sense... how do you just pass by and say oh "looking for a good time tonight?" how do those words just slip out of your mouth while groping on her. that doesn't happen if your just passing by. and he has a wife and 3 kids. which 2 of them are well graduated and married. he should be ashamed and shouldn't ever want to be seen again.

    Posted by: Anonymous Location: omaha on Mar 24, 2008 at 05:05 PM
    this is really creepy considering he was my softball coach and i go to school with his daughter.

    Posted by: Shopper Location: Omaha on Mar 24, 2008 at 03:08 PM
    I have gone into stores on numerous occasions and walked out without buying anything... does this mean I went in to check out women??? No, it just means I couldn't find what I was looking for. And for his hands in his pockets- It was 30 degrees outside. In my opinion, had the police been able to charge him with SA they would have, but maybe something less actually happended.

    Posted by: jason Location: papillion on Mar 23, 2008 at 07:32 PM
    For all you people bad mouthing the papillion police department, you are wrong! I have lived in papillion all my life, and personally know alot of their staff, and if they could have thrown the book at this perv. they would have! Me and my family sleep very well at night knowing the Papillion police are patroling our streets.

    Posted by: Anonymous Location: Council Bluffs IA on Mar 22, 2008 at 09:10 PM
    This wasn't disturbing the peace, she was sexually harrassed. The Papillion police department is sending the wrong message... telling all the preditor out there this is no more of a crime than a traffic violation. I feel bad for his wife and kids and the women that had to be on the recieving end of a sexually deranged middle aged deviant. I just hope he isn't able to still drive a school bus because I wouldn't want him to be exposed to more "temptation" in the form of an innocent teen-age girl. Then again, maybe the police chief or county attorney will see this for the real crime that it is and give him a little jail time, after all Ron...that 250 pound guy coming up behind you is just looking at cookware...he would never think of touching you inappropriately. Let's see what happens and hope for the best.

    Posted by: concerned woman Location: omaha on Mar 22, 2008 at 06:38 PM
    well if you look at the video its quit obvious he wasnt there to shop for anything, his hands are in his pockets and he looks as if he had just done something wrong by how he is looking around after exciting the walmart...he knows exactly what he was after when he walked in that walmart....POOR WOMAN!!! I know of this man Mr Maher and next time I see him....I will NOT have NICE things to say to HIM thats for sure!!

    Posted by: a concern woman Location: omaha on Mar 22, 2008 at 01:47 PM
    if you take a good look at the video of Mr. Maher, he oviously didnt attend to purchase something at walmart that evening, because when exiting the store, I dont see that he purchased anything...so its pretty ovious he was there for only one reason?? Pervs like him need to be PUT AWAY! Come on Papillion police!!

    Posted by: ls Location: omaha on Mar 22, 2008 at 12:48 PM
    this perv has children!! Dont let your kids near him...he may grope them! I feel for his family and the woman involved..what a creep!

    Posted by: not right!! Location: omaha on Mar 22, 2008 at 12:18 PM
    to everyone out there...this man is married!! And to David who responded that Mr Maher was just making a pass...you are a sick individual as well!! Groping woman at stores and breathing down their necks as they are shopping is just making a pass at them...I THINK NOT!!! PERVERT!! And to Mr. Maher...you need some HELP! I hope your wife is outraged with you as well as your children! Because I know I will look at you differantly when I see you again! And to the poor woman who had to go through this I would not be letting Mr. Maher get away with just disturbing the peace! Get a good lawyer and and get this perv behind BARS!!

    Posted by: Janice Location: Omaha on Mar 22, 2008 at 11:09 AM
    Here's the problem with why it was disturbing the peace. First of all I want to say I'm not on anyones side. I am a retired police officer and I've had a lot of these reports. The problem is that Wal Mart didn't actually get this on camera, just him leaving the aisle. So let's say the guy did say a few things to her and maybe touched her on her shoulder or maybe he said nasty things to her and touched her innaporopriately. The police are stuck with she said, he said. It wouldn't be fair to charge him with assault just because of what she said, there has to be proof or a witness. There have been cases where a woman will say a man did this, then later on come back and change her story for all kinds of reasons. Like I said he could have been a real pervert and done this but without proof the worst they can do is DTP. You have to understand that sometimes it comes down to it the police are stuck between a rock and a hard place.

    Posted by: John Location: Papillion on Mar 22, 2008 at 10:18 AM
    What this guy did was not right. But that's all!!! You people already have him listed as a preditor for a simple pass. Now if he has history or something like that then hang him but it doesn't sound like he does. I am not supporing this guys actions one bit but come on people keep it in perspective and save it for the people deserve this harshness.

    Posted by: t Location: omaha on Mar 22, 2008 at 10:16 AM
    Just making a pass? Please tell me you are not serious. A pass? Any man making a 'pass' at me in that manner will get a swift kick in the you-know-whats.

    Posted by: Mel Location: Bellevue on Mar 22, 2008 at 09:19 AM
    What??!! Disturbing the peace??!! What the heck kind of slap in the face is this to the woman who was sexually harrassed and assaulted. granted - it isn't rape, but this is a sex crime and he should be on a watchlist for this. Thanks Mr./Ms. Prosecutor - i feel so much safer now knowing he was just "disturbing the peace".

    Posted by: Corey Location: Papillion on Mar 22, 2008 at 08:54 AM
    People who are airing their concerns about why he was only cited for DTP and not Sexual Assault should know that for SA to be committed touching of "intimate" parts of the body is to have occurred. This article does not say where the woman was "groped", so we should assume that the police officer who does have all the facts cited the offender with the proper violation.

    Posted by: unknown Location: omaha on Mar 22, 2008 at 08:31 AM
    david- a "pass" is something that is mutual, not something you do to someone who has not even acknowledged your presence! I know this man, and while he does have a casa nove personality, I was suprised he did this. I am angry he was not charged with more though. He has a family and a wife and I feel horrible for them as well as the victim, NO ONE DESERVES TO HAVE THAT HAPPEN TO THEM! even if it was a "pass" it was obvious she was physically touched, to me that is assult. I had considered this man a friend, and feel horrible for both families.

    Posted by: jp Location: bellevue, ne on Mar 22, 2008 at 06:40 AM
    Apparently some of you may or may not know about this important fact. If the police are not there right after the incident occurred, the only charges they will probably dish out are the ones that the COUNTY ATTORNEY says they will prosecute. I don't see why everyone blames the cops for everything. There are three parts to our judicial system remember, cops fall under just one of those. Beleive me, I know enough cops to know that if they could take him out back and knock some sense into him they would.

    Posted by: Juan Location: South O on Mar 22, 2008 at 03:04 AM
    John, gangs do not rule our city. If they did we'd know it. By the way, it's Do, and Graffiti, not Due and Graffitti. If your going to post something then make sure you know what your talking about. I've lived in a city where gangs have power, and trust me Omaha is not anything like LA.

    Posted by: david on Mar 21, 2008 at 11:20 PM
    I think people are making too much of this. The man was just making a pass is all. I admit he shouldn't have done it, but he was just making a pass. Obviously the Papillion Police agree or else he would have been charged with a sex crime.

    Posted by: Anonymous Location: Council Bluffs on Mar 21, 2008 at 10:44 PM
    And I thought the Council Bluffs Wal Mart was scary!! I can promise you that if he had done that to me I would have kicked him so hard he wouldn't be able to "disturb a piece" of another woman (or man) for the rest of his life!

    Posted by: John Location: Omaha on Mar 21, 2008 at 06:50 PM
    But Dee,in Omaha gangs due rule the city. You can read the writing on the wall, literally (graffitti). Oh that's right it's art. Culture that some of us just don't understand. Why should this surprise anyone? Our President doesn't exactly have a clean criminal history. Before anyone says that I'm deviating from the story at hand let me say that we are living in a culture of crime and disrespect for our fellow human beings. And no, respect doesn't mean handing out more food to the homeless or sending another care package to a third world country. It means self-accountablity, and expecting the same from others.

    Posted by: Unfair Location: Omaha on Mar 21, 2008 at 04:33 PM
    Gee, only disturbing the peace. Anymore, if you even raise your voice to a female in Sarpy Co, particularly Papillion, you get charged with domestic violence. And, no, I do not know this from experience. But, it is common knowledge that you stay out of Sarpy Co; cause you will be arrested for something. And this groper gets disturbing the peace!!! Wow, something is wrong in Papillion. Hopefully they didn't just invite all kinds of perverts to their city since all they will get is DTP charge. Good luck you folks that live there.

    Posted by: Lisa Location: Omaha on Mar 21, 2008 at 04:21 PM
    What a creep! Wonder what his family and friends think of him and if a guy like that can feel any shame.

    Posted by: Jim Location: Papillion on Mar 21, 2008 at 03:43 PM
    Disturbing The Peace? It disturbs my peace of mind that this sick individual is getting off with nothing more then a slap on the wrist. I feel for the lady he "ASSAULTED" and VIOLATED. She has to live with his assault & violation for the rest of her life.

    Posted by: JW Location: omaha on Mar 21, 2008 at 03:02 PM
    I guess it must come down to rape to be considered sexual assault. In the work place sexual harassment doesn't even need to be this blatant. Justice at work again.

    Posted by: Mel Location: Bellevue on Mar 21, 2008 at 02:53 PM
    what a gross pig. To the woman who was assaulted by his obvious perversion - please heal and know all your feelings are very valid. I'd be absolutely stunned and feel violated as well. I also believe this type of behavior is a precurser to more violent sexual offenses, lets hope he gets the help he needs.

    Posted by: Jessica on Mar 21, 2008 at 02:44 PM
    I agree that he should have been charged with more than disturbing the peace but you are crazy if you think that putting him in jail is going to keep this from happening again. Sex offenders get put in jail where they get to sit there and fanatize about what they are going to do as soon as they get out. Jail is necessary as a form of punishment but does nothing to deter them. That's painfully obvious by the amount of sexual reoffenders. This guy probably needs few months of jail time as a punishment but more importantly he needs HELP! He needs counseling, support groups, strict probation, etc. They only way to keep him from doing this again and eventually moving on to more harmful forms of acting out is to get him the help he needs and require that he gets it. Otherwise fine... throw him in jail for a few months or years but the second he gets out he is just going to be out looking to do it again and probably do something worse!

    Posted by: Sarah Location: Lincoln on Mar 21, 2008 at 02:23 PM
    I had something similar happen to me last summer. I had my skirt lifted up on me at a Walgreens store, but it was by a 14 year old boy, but they couldn't do anything about it, since he was juvenile, even though he stood 6 inches taller than me. Now is that BS or what?

    Posted by: Kathy Location: omaha on Mar 21, 2008 at 01:31 PM
    so....If that were to have happened to me, would I have gotten 3rd degree assult for jacking him in the jaw or disturbing the peace?

    Posted by: D Location: Omaha on Mar 21, 2008 at 01:21 PM
    DTP? I think not! Sexual assault is more appropriate! Come on Papillion p.d., where in your training book does this qualify for disturbing the peace?

    Posted by: Disturbed Location: Omaha on Mar 21, 2008 at 01:18 PM
    I hope the victim in this case is going to fight by appeal or something so he has to pay for what he did! It is scary to think that you can be so violated and the person is not held properly accountable. I pray the victim is able to overcome this and not let this sick and disturbed man get away with hurting her any more. WHAT IS THIS WORLD COMING TO!!!!!

    Posted by: Cindy Location: Council Bluffs on Mar 21, 2008 at 01:14 PM
    Disturbing the peace? Are you kidding me!! This won't be the last time we hear about this guy "disturbing the peace." Next time it will be more serious because anyone who can do what he did, has issues!

    Posted by: What? on Mar 21, 2008 at 01:12 PM
    Sarpy County you owe the taxpayers an explanation, who is this man related to?

    Posted by: A Mom Location: Bellevue on Mar 21, 2008 at 12:46 PM
    And if it were a teenager or young kid, you would of been calling HHS and charging the individual with sexual assault. Something isn't right with this picture. So who is he related to to just get a distrbing the peace charge? And if the women would of decked him she would of most likely been charged with assult. Go figure.

    Posted by: Delancey Location: La Vista on Mar 21, 2008 at 12:03 PM
    Disturbing the Peace????? Seriously..what would he have gotten if he had assaulted this poor woman? Good job Papillion's finest! Mr. Maher should be glad I wasn't in the store or I would have "disturbed his peace" by socking him in the face! He is a disgusting old man!

    Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 21, 2008 at 11:34 AM
    That's it???? Disturbing the peace???? What ever happened to sexual assault or sexual harassment charges being filed????? What a complete disgrace to the justice system. I say she needs to go after him and press charges.

    Posted by: Rachel Location: Omaha on Mar 21, 2008 at 11:24 AM
    If someone like that did that to me, I would of knocked him out!!!!! BAM!

    Posted by: Related Crime on Mar 21, 2008 at 11:10 AM
    He must be related to a politician or something like that. Any regular person would be busted for 3rd degree sexual assault.

    Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 21, 2008 at 10:59 AM
    it should have been sexual assault

    Posted by: DW Location: La Vista on Mar 21, 2008 at 10:57 AM
    He needs a good swift kick in the you know whats. Disturbing the peace is all he gets charged with?? If that was my mother he assaulted (and hello...that is what he should be charged with) he should hope I never meet him. His disturbing the peace charge would become the least of his problems.

    Posted by: Jo Location: Omaha on Mar 21, 2008 at 10:56 AM
    Disturbing the peace? He gets a slap on the wrist, and a charge that doesn't reflect the sexual nature of the crime? This seems unfair to his victim, and unfair to the women he will likely violate in the future.

    Posted by: mike Location: omaha on Mar 21, 2008 at 10:41 AM
    apparently the crime of assault was not met and they had to go with a DTP charge. pretty sure after this coverage they would have arrested him for assault if they could have.

    Posted by: Tom Location: Omaha on Mar 21, 2008 at 10:25 AM
    Isn't this just about like the case of the Nebraska football player groping a woman at the bar? two standards apply here. I think not. Both should be treated equally the same.

    Posted by: dee Location: iowa on Mar 21, 2008 at 10:19 AM
    That is the reason I now go to Des Moines instead of OMAHA!! There are sickos all over but Omaha is going to heck(not my first choice of word) and cops might as well let the gangs rule the city!

    Posted by: Copperdug Location: omaha on Mar 21, 2008 at 10:10 AM
    wow...DTP...now he can plead guilty, recieve a fine and get no jail time. that is just great...now he does not even have to register as a sexual predator. and we all wonder why people like that get off with a slap in the wrist. rediculous

    Posted by: Amy Location: Omaha on Mar 21, 2008 at 09:44 AM
    This is an example of how sex affenders are escaping through the holes in the justice system and it should stop. This is a very sick deranged man who needs to be taken off the streets before he assaults a child. Come on Sarpy County; get your head out of the clouds and get this guy off the streets!!

    Posted by: E Location: omaha on Mar 21, 2008 at 09:43 AM
    i don't understand why this man only got disturbing the peace he should be aressted for sexual assault

    Posted by: J Location: O on Mar 21, 2008 at 09:34 AM
    Should have been a battery charge, in my book. Intentional, malicious and unwanted physical contact.

    Posted by: Saffron Location: Omaha on Mar 21, 2008 at 09:23 AM
    Disturbing the peace?? What about assault, come on Papillion PD do your job!!

    Posted by: jer on Mar 21, 2008 at 08:45 AM
    I hope there was video evidence of this man committing this alleged crime.

    Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 21, 2008 at 08:37 AM
    im quite surprised at the charges as well! talk about justice! id be pretty peeved if was that woman.

    Posted by: bob Location: omaha on Mar 21, 2008 at 08:30 AM
    They should have never of called the cops, just take him out back by the dumpster and give him a little justice right there then maybe call the cops, his grandkids will be happy, pervert.

    Posted by: J Location: Omaha on Mar 21, 2008 at 08:25 AM
    No wonder so many sexual assaults go unreported. Why is it that this pervert only gets charged with distrubing the peace? This is a mockery.

    Posted by: T Location: Omaha on Mar 21, 2008 at 08:15 AM
    Whats with all the old perverts running around anymore?

    Posted by: GM Location: Omaha on Mar 21, 2008 at 07:50 AM
    This wierdo should have to wear A monitering device...Get A life...Loser...

    Posted by: Jim Location: Omaha on Mar 21, 2008 at 07:45 AM
    Put the viagra away Mr. 57 year old.

    Posted by: Dan Location: Omaha on Mar 21, 2008 at 07:15 AM
    Disturbing the peace? Why not sexual assault?

    Posted by: LS Location: omaha on Mar 21, 2008 at 12:22 AM
    disturbing the peace??? WHAT?? this makes no sense to me...he groped her and made inappropriate remarks, and all he gets arrested for is disturbing the peace?? can someone explain this???

    Posted by: chelsey Location: Omaha on Mar 20, 2008 at 09:40 PM
    he pressed himself against her and all he gets is DTP, instead of something like sexual assault...... WOW

    Posted by: Kyle Location: Bellevue on Mar 20, 2008 at 08:46 PM
    Sicko.

    Desktop Weather
  • Video: Hour-by-Hour Forecast Updates
  • AP Online Network
    Health News
  • Family Health
  • Health Check
  • Kids Corner
  • Channel 6 News Features






  • Heartland's Most Wanted
  • Product Recalls

  • Media Partners