[PHOTO CREDIT: Lake County Sheriff’s Office]
[Original Publish Date: 01/26/21]
CLERMONT, Florida — A man accused of masturbating over children’s toys in December was arrested Saturday for exposure of sexual organs, according to an arrest affidavit and probable cause affidavit.
On Dec. 11, Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to East Chester Street and South Bloxam Avenue in Clermont on a report of a man exposing his genitals. When LCSO arrived at the scene, the victim said a man later identified as Nicholas Peter DeSalvo, 36, had been masturbating over children’s toys with his genitals exposed, according to the probable cause affidavit.
The victim told LCSO no one else was outside but she was able to get a side photo of DeSalvo as he fled the scene. She said DeSalvo ran into the backyard of a home on Chester Street and a female at that home said it was only her and her mother living there.
During the investigation LCSO found that law enforcement had an extensive history at the home in the past and DeSalvo, who resembled the victim’s description, had spoken with law enforcement at the home in the past.
The victim participated in a photographic lineup on Jan. 19 and immediately picked DeSalvo’s photo from the six photos provided to her, according to the affidavit. LCSO was unable to contact DeSalvo at that time and he was picked up on a warrant Saturday and taken to the Lake County Jail where he is being held on $5,000 bond.
In 2018, DeSalvo was arrested for impersonating a law enforcement officer after telling someone he was an Orange County Sheriff’s deputy at Clermont’s Waterfront Park. In that incident, DeSalvo was alleged to have confronted a man and his minor daughter because DeSalvo believed the girl had “fear” in her eyes and he believed the man was “up to no good,” according to that arrest affidavit. DeSalvo claimed to have told the man he was a deputy, but also said he was joking. He pleaded no contest in that case.
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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]
