Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Ramon Antonio Garcia-Gonzalez, a 58-year-old resident of Interlachen, found himself in police custody yesterday after allegations surfaced that he exposed himself while driving alongside a pedestrian on NW 39th Avenue.
The incident unfolded around 11:30 a.m. on April 13. Officers from the Gainesville Police Department responded to the 400 block of NW 39th Avenue following a report from a pedestrian. The victim recounted walking home from work when a man drove by, honked, then made a U-turn to drive alongside him. The pedestrian alleged that the driver had his genitals exposed and was engaging in inappropriate behavior while maintaining eye contact.
Law enforcement noted that Garcia-Gonzalez had a white substance on his shorts and inside his right pocket at the time of his arrest.
After being read his Miranda rights, Garcia-Gonzalez claimed residence in Interlachen, asserting he was merely passing time by leisurely driving around and did not stay in Gainesville. He mentioned waving to the pedestrian with his windows down, denying any inappropriate contact with his genitals. Despite being right-handed, he was unable to account for the white residue on his clothing.
Garcia-Gonzalez faces charges of indecent exposure. Notably, he is a registered sexual offender with a previous conviction for lewd or lascivious molestation involving a minor under 16, stemming from a 2010 case in Putnam County. He served 18 months in prison and was released in 2012. Judge Susan Miller-Jones has set his bail at $10,000.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
