A 47-year-old Florida man is facing misdemeanor charges after police say he exposed himself and threw a drink at a group of teenagers inside a Gainesville McDonald’s last week.
According to an arrest report and witness accounts, William Heath became upset on Feb. 7 when he believed three teens—a 17-year-old and two 15-year-olds—were staring at him. Authorities say the argument escalated quickly. Heath reportedly hurled his Dr Pepper at the group, splashing them, before walking out of the restaurant.
The teens followed him outside. Witnesses told police that Heath then dropped into a nearby bush and began yelling that the kids had shoved or punched him. Several people nearby, including one woman sitting in her car, said they saw no physical contact from the teenagers.
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Moments later, Heath allegedly pulled down his pants, exposed his buttocks, and began slapping and rubbing them while facing the group. One of the teens recorded the incident on a phone. A witness in the parking lot confirmed the teens did not touch or provoke Heath physically at any point.
When officers arrived and read him his Miranda rights, Heath reportedly admitted to the act, telling police the teenagers had insulted him first. He was taken into custody without further incident.
Heath now faces two counts of simple battery and two counts of lewd and lascivious exhibition, both misdemeanors in Florida. Online jail records show he was booked into the Alachua County jail shortly after the encounter and later released on bond.
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