Florida man arrested for performing lewd sexual act in front of children: WHPD

Date: Category:US Views:3 Comment:0

The Brief

  • Winter Haven police say officers arrested Tavarus Harrison after a woman said he exposed himself to her on July 18.

  • Four children then came forward, according to police, saying he performed a lewd act in front of them on July 17.

  • Harrison faces a list of charges.

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - A man faces a list of charges after Winter Haven police say multiple children encountered him exposing himself and performing a lewd sexual act.

The backstory

According to the Winter Haven Police Department, officers got a report on July 18 from a woman who said Tavarus Harrison, 30, exposed himself to her after calling out her name.

Police arrested Harrison the next day on a misdemeanor exposure of sexual organs charge, saying the victim has known him since childhood and was able to identify him.

<div>Mugshot of Tavarus Harrison. Courtesy: Winter Haven Police Dept.</div>
Mugshot of Tavarus Harrison. Courtesy: Winter Haven Police Dept.

Investigators say they soon learned about four children between 6 and 12 years old who said they encountered Harrison on July 17. The children told police that Harrison stood against a wall near their home and performed a lewd act in front of them.

Police filed four additional felony charges of exhibition on a victim under the age of 16 against Harrison on July 23.

What they're saying

"I am so proud of these children stepping up and telling us about what they saw," Winter Haven Police Chief Vance Monroe said in a statement. "The courage to say something speaks to the values that have been instilled in these kids."

The Source

This story was written with information from the Winter Haven Police Department.

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