Vero man wearing dress arrested for allegedly exposing himself
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The skimpy dress a 53-year-old man reportedly was wearing while bicycling early Sunday morning was a little too short for the sheriff’s deputy who stopped him.
Especially when the deputy noticed Stephen Barfield wasn’t wearing any undergarments, according to reports.
Barfield, of the 200 block of 28th Avenue Southwest, was arrested and charged with exposing himself, disorderly intoxication and loitering and prowling.
Indian River County sheriff’s Deputy Daniel Hatch was patrolling the area about 3 a.m. Sunday when he noticed a man, later identified as Barfield, in the 300 block of 27th Avenue riding a bicycle without any lights.
Florida law states anyone riding a bicycle between sundown and sunrise must have a white light in the front visible for at least 500 feet and a red light and reflector in the back visible from at least 600 feet.
When Barfield saw the patrol car turn around, he reportedly spun the bicycle in the opposite direction and tried to get away, according to the arrest affidavit.
Hatch stopped Barfield and saw he was wearing a woman’s dress that "only went to his hips and his genitals were completely exposed," the affidavit stated. Barfield’s speech was slurred, he was stumbling and had a strong odor of alcohol on him, the affidavit stated.
Barfield denied drinking any alcohol and cussed out Hatch for stopping him, the report said.
Barfield was arrested and taken to the county jail, where he remained Monday on $1,500 bond.
The charges
• Exposure of sexual parts is a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and $1,000 fine.
• Disorderly intoxication and loitering and prowling are second-degree misdemeanors punishable by up to 60 days in jail and $500 fine.