A former middle school principal has been assigned to an administrative job with no contact with students or teachers following his arrest Thursday for allegedly exposing himself and masturbating to an undercover officer at a Pensacola park.
10 News is reporting that the 39-year-old man was spotted by a plainclothes detective on a nature trail allegedly wearing tight pants and touching himself in a manner that simulated masturbation.
According to an arrest report, the man supposedly followed the undercover detective down the trail, exposed himself and began masturbating in front of the officer.
The man was allegedly noticed by other detectives in the park several days earlier performing similar actions.
The man was arrested and transported to Escambia County Jail and charged with lewd and lascivious behavior and indecent exposure. The man was released on $1,000 bail.
Indecent exposure, the exposure of sexual organs in public, is considered a first-degree misdemeanor and while viewed as a lesser sex crime, punishments can follow you for the rest of your life. An indecent exposure conviction can carry up to one year in jail, fines, probation and registration as a sex offender. Too many times people are embarrassed of these charges and fail to contact a knowledgeable Sex Crimes Defense Attorney immediately following their arrest. This can be one of the biggest mistakes anyone charged with a sex crime can make. In many indecent exposure cases, charges are brought about from misunderstandings or momentary bad decisions. Fortunately, a skilled defense lawyer can often get a misdemeanor sex offense reduced to a non-related sex crime which could save you from being labeled a predator.
The Florida Sex Crimes Defense Attorneys at Whittel & Melton can work towards a positive resolution for your indecent exposure charge, whether it is a pretrial diversion program that results in charges being dropped completely or pleading to a lesser offense, we will work relentlessly to protect the integrity of your record and good name. Indecent exposure charges vary in severity and do not always make sense, which is why it is imperative you consult with an attorney from the beginning.
If you have been charged with indecent exposure in Pensacola, Escambia County or elsewhere in the state of Florida, contact the Florida Sex Crimes Defense Attorneys at Whittel & Melton online or call us toll-free at 866-608-5529.