Indecent Exposure Arrest

                              NEWS RELEASE #: 17-077 - MARCH 21, 2017

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office arrested a 20-year-old Bradenton man connected to sex crimes in both Sarasota and Manatee counties.

Deputies were first alerted to a possible indecent exposure on January 31, when the 27-year-old female victim reported a man followed her into a parking lot in the University Town Center area, and began fondling himself. When deputies arrived, the victim had already left the area and didn't provide any further information. In March, the Manatee County Sheriff's Office (MSO) announced the arrest of a "serial flasher" by the name of Jacob Martinez, DOB 06/01/96. After seeing media coverage of the arrest and Martinez' booking photo, the victim contacted MSO and advised that Martinez matched the description of the suspect who exposed himself in January. According to the victim, Martinez pulled up in a blue Volkswagen as she was putting groceries in her vehicle, asked for help, and then exposed his genitals.

On Tuesday at 9:00 a.m., Fugitive Apprehension Unit deputies took Martinez into custody on a warrant for the January incident. He was booked into the Sarasota County Jail and is currently being held on a single count of Indecent Exposure and subsequent $25,000 bond.

Anyone who has information on Martinez' whereabouts or believes they may be a victim, is asked to contact the Criminal Investigations Section at 941.861.4934.

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Jacob Martinez