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HomeCrimeGPD arrests man for masturbating in front of children at Target

GPD arrests man for masturbating in front of children at Target

January 2, 2024

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.

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.

  • This incident is not the first time for this CHESTER. Once a CHESTER always a CHESTER. Scary thing is that he works in renovation and construction God only knows how many victims there really are. There is only one sure cure for a Chester and it involves a limbotimy. Otherwise he needs to be locked away from society so he can’t chase after little girls. Sick POS

  • Any relation to the other Padgett a few articles back!?

    Apparently a successful Alachua Co. bloodline if there ever was one!

  • He wants to put it on display, time to oblige him. Hire the bolt cutter lady and let her get her OJT. No probationary requirements.

    Then hang it on a “Welcome to Gainesville” sign. Maybe that will deter some of the crimes.

    • By some indications, someone approves of such behavior. They should let him entertain their children, or at least some of their buddies’ children.

  • Sounds like Santa didn’t deliver as much smack down the Christmas chimney as Padgett was expecting. Or maybe too much, it might be either way.

  • This guy has no earthly idea what he’s in for when he meets the Prison welcoming committee.

  • How lovely! A perfect way to start Gainesville’s local judicial new year, too!
    🤡👹🍦🍦🍦🍦D

  • Glad that they caught this disgusting man. It’s just too bad one of the girls’ dads didn’t see it first!!

  • Let the fathers involved meet in quiet wooded area for counseling with him.
    Another one for a pink jail uniform identifying him as a pervert.

    • I was thinking they should have lured him to the knife or office supplies department.

  • GPD is asking the public for additional information regarding other possible incidents involving this person; post the mug shot.

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