Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A 55-year-old man was arrested July 23 after police said he exposed himself and masturbated in view of a minor in a heavily traveled commercial area.
According to Gainesville Police, an officer was called at about 3:55 p.m. to the 3400 block of SW Williston Road. The 15-year-old victim reportedly told police he saw Luis R. Gonzalez expose his genitals and masturbate while standing on a public sidewalk. The officer reported that the location was between two busy parking lots serving a shopping plaza and a convenience store, where drivers and pedestrians could see the area.
After being read his Miranda rights, Gonzalez reportedly denied exposing himself or masturbating. He allegedly told the officer that his hand had been inside his pants because he was scratching himself, but he denied that his genitals were ever outside his clothing.
Gonzalez, whose listed address is GRACE Marketplace, has been charged with lewd/lascivious exhibition. Court records show he has two non-violent felony convictions and 28 misdemeanor convictions, including one violent misdemeanor. His record also includes a July 1 conviction for trespassing after a warning; he was arrested July 17 on a charge of resisting an officer without violence and released on his own recognizance July 18. He also has a Notice to Appear in a separate case alleging trespassing after a warning.
Judge Susan Miller-Jones ordered Gonzalez held without bail while a motion from the State Attorney’s Office is pending. Prosecutors are seeking to have him detained without bail until trial; if the judge denies that request, bail will be set at the hearing.
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.
