Press release from Gainesville Police Department

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Gainesville Police Department today arrested a man for masturbating in front of children at a local Target store.

On Tuesday, January 2, 2024, the Gainesville Police Department, with assistance of the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, arrested Stephen Gray Padgett, 57, on charges of lewd or lascivious offenses committed upon or in the presence of persons less than 16 years of age.

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On December 20, 2023, Padgett entered the local Target and followed three young girls, 5 through 7 years old. All three girls were accompanied by their parents. Padgett was caught on surveillance video repeatedly attempting to get the attention of the three girls. Unbeknownst to the parents, he would expose his penis and masturbate when the girls looked at him. Padgett circled one of the girls for approximately 9 minutes before gaining her attention. Once she looked at him, Padgett masturbated for almost 3 minutes before she left the area with her parent.

Investigators believe there may be more victims unaccounted for. If you have any information regarding this incident or have knowledge of additional incidents, please contact the Gainesville Police Department at (352) 393-7500.