A Citrus County man is facing multiple charges after allegations surfaced that he exposed himself to children on a school bus. The suspect, identified as 36-year-old Freddy Richie Parisi from Crystal River, was arrested on yesterday, following a rapid response from local law enforcement.
Reports of the indecent exposure incident first emerged last Tuesday, when students riding home on a school bus claimed to have seen a man revealing himself in a nearby car. According to WFLA, the children's accounts led to an investigation by the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO). One of the students had the presence of mind to capture the act on video and submit the evidence, including the suspect's car and license plate number, via the FortifyFL school safety app
After receiving the tip and additional information from concerned parents, CCSO promptly initiated an investigation that led to Parisi's apprehension. As revealed in a statement provided by the Citrus County School District Chief of Police Rachel Montgomery, and reported by Tampa Free Press, "The student’s exemplary use of FortifyFL and the parent’s follow-up reporting allowed the Sheriff’s Office to quickly identify and apprehend this offender, making our community safer for students moving forward."
Parisi, whom a detective recognized from prior sex offender checks as reported by ABC Action News, now faces five counts of lewd and lascivious exhibition. His history includes a 2007 conviction for sexual battery of a victim under 12 years of age and lewd or lascivious conduct with a victim under 16 years old. Parisi is currently detained at the Citrus County Detention Facility without bond.
