Staff Report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A 42-year-old man, Christopher Jermaine Bolton, found himself in police custody yesterday following accusations that he exposed himself at a bus stop in front of two minors, an infant, and two adults.

On the afternoon of October 29, coinciding with his birthday, an officer from the Gainesville Police Department responded to an incident at the intersection of NE 8th Avenue and NE 17th Street. A woman, accompanied by her children, had approached a man who appeared to be vomiting to offer assistance. One child recounted to the officer that the man exposed his “thing,” which she clarified meant his genitals, confirming she had seen them. Another child mentioned not seeing anything, while the third was an infant.

The mother of the children explained that she inquired about the man’s wellbeing, to which he replied, “No, I just want to f***” before allegedly exposing himself.

An additional witness, located across the street, was in the process of contacting emergency services due to the man’s condition. She reported witnessing the exposure from her vantage point.

After being read his rights, Bolton reportedly claimed the woman accused him of wrongdoing towards her children but was unclear about the specifics. When questioned by the officer regarding the exposure, he denied any inappropriate actions, despite the statements from two adults and a child suggesting otherwise.

Bolton, a registered sexual predator whose address is listed as GRACE Marketplace, has been charged with three counts of attempted lewd and lascivious exhibition and two counts of indecent exposure. He has two felony convictions (both sexual) and has served two state prison sentences, including a sentence of almost 15 years for lewd and lascivious molestation and attempted sexual battery of a victim under 12; he was most recently released from prison in 2022. He was arrested in August 2025 for failing to report an email address, and he entered into a deferred prosecution agreement that would have dismissed the charge if he complied with the terms (including refraining from violating any laws) of the agreement for six months.

Judge Meshon Rawls ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s office to hold him without bail until trial; if the judge denies the motion, bail will be set at that 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.