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Staff Report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Authorities have taken 36-year-old Joshuia Bernard Jenkins into custody following an incident where he was allegedly seen engaging in indecent behavior on a public sidewalk.
On the afternoon of April 11, around 4:31 p.m., an officer from the Gainesville Police Department observed Jenkins while driving north on NE 3rd Street, just off East University Avenue. Jenkins was reportedly positioned near the road with his pants lowered and a jacket concealing the front of his body.
The officer recounted approaching Jenkins, who appeared to be making gestures behind the jacket consistent with the act of masturbation.
The scene unfolded in a public area with cars moving in both directions and numerous pedestrians using the sidewalk as Jenkins allegedly continued his actions.
Post Miranda, Jenkins reportedly did not want to speak to officers, and the officer reported that he did not seem to be in a “right 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 He was sentenced to probation in that case, but he never reported to his probation officer, so his probation was revoked, and he was sentenced to 180 days in jail.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.