[PHOTO CREDIT: Lake County Sheriff’s Office]
[Original Publish Date: 08/07/20]
FRUITLAND PARK, Florida — A pizza deliveryman who did not think masturbating in a car was illegal was spotted doing the deed in a gas station parking lot by an off-duty Wildwood police officer and it was captured on video.
Store surveillance captured Steven Lee Donovan, 22, driving a white Honda Civic into the parking lot of Circle K, 100 West Miller Street, Fruitland Park, on July 28 and parking next to the complainant — an off duty, female Wildwood police sergeant. After the woman walks into the store, Donovan can be seen pulling his pants down as he grabs his genital area, according to an arrest affidavit. The camera, which is motion activated, stops for several seconds, and Donovan is seen with a black mask on when the video resumes. The off-duty officer walks out of the store and Donovan is seen, “making a continual motion with his genital area,” the affidavit states.
The off-duty officer leaves, and Donovan, of Fruitland Park, leaves moments later. An unidentified person walks by during the incident and looks directly into Donovan’s windshield, the arresting officer noted in the affidavit.
Police went to the home of the registered owner, a female, the same address listed by Donovan, and found the white Honda Civic parked on the west side of the house; after several minutes of knocking, Donovan and the registered owner answered the door.
Donavan told police he finished his work shift and went to Circle K next door to get a drink. Police read his rights and Donovan refused to speak with the officer. He was placed under arrest and the female registered owner of the Civic asked if she could speak with Donovan, “he was very apologetic to [the woman]. At one point, Steven advised [the woman] that he didn’t think masturbating in his car was illegal. Steven added that he was horny and masturbating to pornography,” the affidavit states.
Donovan was charged with exposure of sexual organs and released from the Lake County Jail on $1,000 bond.
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Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. Born and raised in Lake County, she is a graduate of Umatilla High School and Lake-Sumter State College. She started her journalism career at LSSC, where she was editor of both student publications, The Angler and The Odyssey. Her professional career began at the Daily Commercial in 2004 where she covered cops and courts the majority of her time there until she left in 2009. Currently, along with being Editor-in-Chief of Lake Legal News, she is the Florida bureau chief for an international media organization. She has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
