The Gainesville Police Department has arrested a 57-year-old man for allegedly masturbating in front of children at a local Target store. According to a news release from GPD, officers and the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office arrested 57-year-old Stephen Gray Padgett 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 allegedly entered a local Target store and followed three girls ranging in age from five to seven years old who were accompanied by their parents. Police say Padgett was caught on surveillance video repeatedly attempting to get the attention of the young girls.

He would allegedly expose his penis and masturbate when the girls were looking at him. Padgett is accused of circling one of the girls for nine minutes before getting her attention. Then, he allegedly masturbated in front of her for nearly three minutes before she left with her parent.

Investigators believe there could be more victims who haven’t been accounted for. Anyone with information should contact the Gainesville Police Department at 352-393-7500.