Pahokee Man Accused of Exposing Himself to Teen Coworker

Pahokee Store Worker, 54, Accused of Exposing Himself to Teen Coworker

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A 54-year-old Pahokee man is behind bars after investigators say he exposed himself and performed a lewd act in front of a teenage coworker at the Palm Beach County store where they both worked. Anthony Batten was arrested following the alleged incident, which deputies say was captured on the store's own surveillance cameras.

According to the WPBF report on Batten's arrest, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office received a report that an adult male employee had exposed himself to a teenage female employee, and deputies responded to the store on Sunday. Investigators said Batten was sitting in a chair with his genitals exposed and was looking toward the teenage coworker while performing a lewd act on himself. The teen reportedly saw the alleged behavior after walking behind the store counter and immediately contacted her mother, who told investigators she wanted to press charges on her daughter's behalf.

Surveillance Footage Central to the Case

The store owner showed deputies surveillance video that appeared to show Batten exposing himself and performing the lewd act while a female employee was behind the cash register, with customers present inside the store at the time, the station's report notes. Deputies reviewed the footage and collected statements from those involved before arresting Batten.

Batten was charged with lewd or lascivious exhibition in the presence of a victim younger than 16 and with exposure of sexual organs, per the same account. He was taken to the Palm Beach County jail without incident.

What the Felony Charge Carries

The more serious charge against Batten, lewd or lascivious exhibition in the presence of a minor under 16, is a second-degree felony under Florida Statute § 800.04, carrying penalties of up to 15 years in prison, 15 years of probation, and a $10,000 fine, according to the Florida Senate. A conviction on that charge would also require mandatory sex offender registration under Florida law, per the Law Offices of Roger P. Foley, P.A., whereas a first-time misdemeanor exposure conviction does not automatically trigger that listing.

Notably, Florida law bars defendants in these cases from arguing ignorance of a victim's age, a good-faith belief about that age, or any claim of victim consent as a legal defense, the Florida Senate's statutory text states. The secondary charge, exposure of sexual organs under Florida Statute § 800.03, is a first-degree misdemeanor for a first offense, punishable by up to a year in jail, a year of probation, and a $1,000 fine, according to the Florida Legislature. Lawmakers updated that statute in 2020 so that any repeat offense is elevated to a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison.