Florida beachgoers were met with an unexpected sight last week. Six people now face criminal charges. Their alleged offense? Sunbathing nude at a public beach in Fort Pierce, Florida.
The arrests followed numerous complaints. The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the charges. They include indecent exposure and exposure of sexual organs.
The individuals arrested were named. They are Daniel Harrisson, 77, Donald L. Knapp, 74, Gaetane Lambert, 73, Steven Marhenke, 60, Elmer Quandt, 77, and Nickolas Ramos, 27. The arrests took place on October 25.
The group reportedly gathered at the Little Mud Boat Ramp beach area. This location is not a designated nude-optional spot. They allegedly chose the site because the parking lot at the nearby Blind Creek Beach is closed. Blind Creek is a nude-optional beach.
The Sheriff’s Office issued a direct statement on the incident. “While the ongoing Blind Creek Beach renovation project may be a temporary inconvenience to beachgoers,” the office noted, “it does not permit the use of undesignated public areas as extensions of the designated nude-optional beach.”
They added a clear reminder for all visitors. “Visitors are reminded to stay within the clearly posted nude-optional boundaries and to cover up before leaving those areas or entering parking lots and public spaces.” The investigation is continuing.