Three Collier County Men Arrested in Undercover Sex Sting at Sugden Park

The Collier County Sherriff’s Office arrested three men cruising for sex in an East Naples park Wednesday after they propositioned a deputy during an undercover operation. The three men range in age from 48 to 76 and were all charged with indecent exposure.

This is the third undercover sting in Sugden Park this year. Six others were arrested after two previous investigations.

All three men allegedly exposed themselves to the undercover officer and/or performed a sexual act on themselves in front of the officer.

According to Naples News, the Collier County Sherriff’s Office performed the sting after receiving numerous complaints of lewd behavior in the park during normal operating hours. The arrest reports show that all of the arrests made during the three undercover stings were made during normal operating hours at the park with pedestrian and vehicular traffic around them.

In Florida, indecent exposure is considered a misdemeanor offense punishable by up to 12 months in county jail and a maximum fine of $1,000. The most serious ramification of exposing sexual organs is that the accused will need to register as a sex offender. A sexual offender must register in their state of residence twice a year and failure to do so can have grave consequences.

In order for the undercover sting charges of indecent exposure to hold up in court, the State must prove that the men did in fact expose themselves in a manner that was or intended to be crude, vulgar, lewd or lascivious in nature in a public place or on private property where they could be seen by others. It is illegal to be nude in public unless you are on property that is meant for that purpose such as a spa or health clinic. Being accused of exposing sexual organs near a school or playground or to a minor under the age of 16, could result in a felony conviction. If bodily contact is made, the charges could accelerate to sexual assault.

If you have been charged with indecent exposure in the state of Florida, contact the Florida Sex Crimes Defense Attorneys online or call 866-608-5529.