INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A 55-year-old man was jailed after deputies said he exposed himself to a girl and boy, both 7, in an abandoned yard last week. Deputies said Johnnie Jones grabbed the girl by her arm and lifted her skirt.
Johnnie Jones
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
The girl bit Jones’ arm in self-defense, then ran back home with her brother and told relatives about the incident, reports show.
Jones, of Gifford, was charged with child abuse, lewd lascivious exhibition and battery. Jones was released Saturday from the Indian River County Jail on $15,500 bond.
Indian River County sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of a disturbance about 6 p.m. Friday near 26th Avenue. Deputies spoke with the parents of the siblings.
Deputies learned the boy and girl were playing in a yard earlier when Jones approached them, unzipped his pants and exposed himself, reports show. Jones grabbed the girl’s arm and lifted her skirt, deputies said.
Jones admitted to deputies he exposed himself to the minors and grabbed the girl, sheriff’s officials said.
Deputies arrested Jones and booked him into the county jail. Jones was ordered to not have any contact with the victims or any person under age 18; prohibited from going within 100 feet of the victims’ residence, school or any place where children regularly congregate; not allowed to leave his home except with permission of pretrial services, and must attend mental health court, court records show.
Jones has an arraignment at 8:45 a.m. Oct. 19, records show.