Pinellas Park Police arrested an 89-year-old registered sexually violent predator Sunday after he allegedly exposed himself and began to masturbate in view of three children, according to reports.
Investigators responded on February 17 to reports of an elderly man exposing himself to children. They learned that the 89-year-old man was apparently calling out to three children walking down a sidewalk. Once he had their attention, he allegedly exposed himself and began to masturbate.
The children immediately reported what they’d seen to an adult, who contacted law enforcement. An adult also reported witnessing the man’s public acts.
Officers identified the man as a registered sexually violent predator and took him into custody without incident. He was charged with one count of lewd and lascivious exhibition.
You can face sex crimes charges for exposing yourself in public to adults or children. However, if you have exposed yourself to minors, then police will likely charge you with the more serious offense of lewd and lascivious exhibition. This crime is a second-degree felony and carries a potential punishment of 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. You may also need to register as a sex offender.
If you have been accused of exposing sexual organ in the presence of a minor, you need to consult with our Florida Sex Crimes Attorneys at Whittel & Melton as soon as possible. We provide strong criminal defense representation to Tampa Bay area residents accused of sex crimes. For a free consultation, call us today at 866-608-5529 or contact us online.