CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — Complaints of lewd behavior up and down Black Creek Bike Trail in Clay County has led to the arrest of 11 adult men, including a state Department of Children and Families worker, on Friday after "Operation Safe Parks" was carried out by local authorities.
Used condoms and rumored drug use near the public walkways in the park prompted multiple law enforcement agencies - including the Clay County Sheriff's Office, Orange Park Police Department and Green Cove Springs Police Department - to stake out the park.
In all, 10 men were taken into custody on charges related to lewd behavior and one is charged with battery, authorities said. Charges are pending against one man and woman in related to synthetic drug use.
Surveillance of the park began in mid-February after finding ads online about potential 'meet-ups' for lewd behavior. Undercover detectives were sent to the area and they met with many individuals up until March 4, police said.
The arrests are to keep the park safe for public use, authorities said.
GALLERY: Operation Safe Parks arrests
According to numerous police reports provided by the Clay County Sheriff's Office, these were the men arrested in the operation:
Leonard Wallace, 76, was arrested on Feb. 19 after he rubbed his genitals over his pants while speaking to an undercover law enforcement officer and tried to engage in sexual content with the officer. From 1997 to 2003, Wallace worked as a jail nurse for the Clay County Sheriff's Office. He is charged with lewdness.
Gregg Cunningham, 63, was arrested on Feb. 19 in the sting as well. He is a civilian employee of the Green Cove Springs Police Department. He is charged with lewdness.
Michael Reardon, 54, was arrested on Feb. 25 after engaging in lewd behavior in the presence of a law enforcement officer off the trail where condoms and condom wrappers are usually found. Reardon, who was employed by the Department of Children and Families, was fired by DCF following his arrest.
Wayne Love, 48, was arrested and charged with offering prostitution and for a lewd act on Feb. 22.
Jack Leffingwell, 70, was arrested on Feb. 23 and charged with lewdness after speaking to an undercover law enforcement officer in Black Creek Bike Trail.
Ralph Kennedy, 66, was arrested on Feb. 22 and charged with lewdness. He worked for Sumter Corrections until he retired in 2005.
Patrick Chadwell, 48, was arrested on Feb. 24 and charged with resisting an officer with violence, battery on a law enforcement officer and lewdness. According to the arrest report, Chadwell, in the company of a law enforcement officer, attempted to expose his penis and was promptly told he'd be arrested. While walking back to the parking area to be arrested with the officer, he tried to run and elbowed the arresting officer in the face.
Marshall Cox, 38, was arrested on Feb. 25 after attempting to engage in lewd behavior in the presence of a law enforcement officer.
Michael Hambrect, 62, was arrested on Feb. 22 after bringing an undercover officer into a bathroom and began to masturbate in front of the officer. He is charged with lewdness.
Carl Edward Smee Dendy, 40, an employee of NAS Jacksonville was arrested and charged with lewdness after engaging in the act in the presence of an undercover law enforcement officer.
All of the previous information was provided by the Clay County Sheriff's Office in arrest reports.