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Compiled by Staff
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Richard Lamar Brown Jr., aged 32, found himself in police custody yesterday following accusations of indecent exposure behind a business in the downtown area.
Around 2:48 p.m. on February 16, an employee ventured to the back patio of a downtown establishment to dispose of trash, where she encountered a man leaning against the wall. She reported that the man’s genitals were exposed and he appeared to be engaging in masturbation. Surveillance footage from the business was later presented to an officer from the Gainesville Police Department in response to the incident.
The officer soon spotted Brown walking south on SW 2nd Street. Upon noticing the officer, Brown allegedly diverted into a nearby parking garage. The officer managed to locate him there, where Brown provided his name but claimed he could not remember his birthdate. The officer was ultimately able to ascertain his identity through law enforcement databases.
After being read his Miranda rights, Brown reportedly explained that he was merely scratching himself and his genitals accidentally became exposed. He denied any involvement in masturbation.
Brown has been charged with indecent exposure, second or subsequent offense, and resisting an officer without violence. He has 17 felony convictions (one violent) and 12 misdemeanor convictions (non-violent), including two previous convictions for indecent exposure; he has served four state prison sentences, with his most recent release in 2023. He was sentenced to probation and substance abuse treatment in the most recent indecent exposure case, and he was recently released from the Alachua County Jail after serving a 90-day sentence that was imposed after he violated probation by leaving his court-ordered residential treatment program at Meridian.
Judge Jonathan Ramsey set bail at $12,500 on the new charges.
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.