Local
Jacksonville sheriff’s office says eight arrested after undercover operation at Beach and Peach Urban Park
Eight men were arrested Oct. 1 after an undercover operation at Beach and Peach Urban Park in Jacksonville’s Southside Estates, the sheriff’s office said. All face charges of offering to commit lewdness; three also face additional charges, according to arrest information.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office says eight men were arrested during a one-day undercover operation at Beach and Peach Urban Park, following complaints about illegal sexual activity at the Southside Estates park.
Vice Unit detectives set up the operation on Oct. 1. The sheriff’s office said each man approached an undercover detective and solicited a sexual act; some also allegedly exposed themselves. The arrests were announced Oct. 20.
All eight were charged with offering to commit lewdness. They are John Aguirre, 62; Peter Smith, 63; George Freeman, 72; Cedric Jones, 56; Alejandro Brioso Martinez, 37; Tajmaus Johnson Jr., 28; Florentino De La Cruz, 47; and Elkin Espitia, 45.
Aguirre also faces a charge of possessing a controlled substance. Martinez faces charges of possessing a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia, while De La Cruz was additionally charged with exposing sexual organs in public.
An arrest report says Espitia approached the undercover detective and expressed interest in sexual activity. It alleges he fondled himself and said he wanted to have sex at nearby benches. After being read his rights, Espitia denied seeking sex, saying he had gone to the park to pray and hoped to become a pastor. The report also lists his occupation as a delivery driver.
Espitia had not entered a plea as of Oct. 20, and court records listed his arraignment for Oct. 22. The allegations against him and the other men have not been established in court.
The sheriff’s office said Jacksonville parks are intended for residents to enjoy the outdoors, not for illegal or indecent acts.