Staff Report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Authorities apprehended 36-year-old Joshuia Bernard Jenkins yesterday following reports of indecent exposure on a public sidewalk.

At approximately 4:31 p.m. on April 11, an officer from the Gainesville Police Department observed Jenkins as he turned north onto NE 3rd Street from East University Avenue. Jenkins was standing along the roadside with his pants lowered and a jacket obscuring the front of his waist.

Upon approaching Jenkins, the officer noted that he appeared to be making suggestive hand movements behind the jacket, seemingly engaging in masturbation.

The officer also observed that traffic was active in both directions and a significant number of pedestrians were passing by while Jenkins continued his actions.

After being read his Miranda rights, Jenkins reportedly declined to converse with the officers. The officer further commented that Jenkins did not appear to be in a sound mental state.

Jenkins, who is described as homeless in court documents, has been charged with indecent exposure of sexual organs, first offense, although he has a previous conviction on the same charge. He has 10 felony convictions (two violent) and 23 misdemeanor convictions (five violent), and he was convicted of indecent exposure in July 2025 after a May arrest at Bridge House. He was sentenced to probation in that case, but he never reported to his probation officer, so his probation was revoked, and he was sentenced to 180 days in jail. Judge David Kreider set 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.