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Elk Grove Woman Claims Neighbor Tricked Her Into Removing Clothes During Fake Job Interview

ELK GROVE (CBS13) - A young woman thought she was interviewing for a job with someone she trusted, but what happened next had her calling police.

"I was like what is going on? This is not normal. I'm not supposed to be doing this," said Jennifer.

The 18-year-old, who we'll call Jennifer, says her neighbor Tim Smith, a man she believed was a Navy recruiter, offered her a job interview, and then tricked her into taking her clothes off.

In an email obtained by CBS13, Smith tells Jennifer "the interviews will be at the Holiday Inn Express in Elk Grove. Dress nice, 'cause Doctor Kyoto is pretty picky about that stuff. Thanks, Tim."

Jennifer says there was no doctor, just her neighbor in the hotel room.

After some basic questions, Smith allegedly said it was time for a physical.

"He said the next step was to take off your clothes, just the top part. So I was like 'I've never done this before' and he told me he was a certified med tech and that they could do that," said Jennifer.

Jennifer says it was weird, but she believed him and stripped down to her underwear.

"He did touch my belly button piercing and he was just moving it and stuff and I was just like, OK," said Jennifer.

The 18-year-old left in a hurry when she says her neighbor removed his shirt and pants and asked her to take all of her clothes off.

"God knows what would've happened if I'd proceeded with the rest of my clothes," said Jennifer.

Even if what Jennifer claims is true, Elk Grove police caution it may not be a crime.

One key question: Was Smith actively impersonating a Navy recruiter or did Jennifer just assume he was one?

"Is it something that was assumed, something that was stated and I can't get into specifics, but it just depends on how the conversation went," said Officer Chris Trim of the Elk Grove Police Department.

A Navy commander confirms Smith worked as a recruiter for three years but was let go back in February.

As of late Thursday afternoon, Smith hadn't returned CBS13's calls.

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