Robert Winter, 47, faces charges after an incident Sunday at the Hindu Society of Central Florida near Casselberry, according to WESH. Deputies say he groped a female temple worker and exposed himself while making racial slurs, then tried to evade law enforcement and went into a nearby pond.
Allegations at the Temple
According to WESH, Winter is accused of coming up from behind and groping a female worker at the temple before witnesses told deputies he stripped down his pants, exposed himself, and continued making racial slurs. A 911 caller described the scene in real time, saying, “There's a guy that's groping women here, and he's doing racist remarks,” per the outlet's report.
Witnesses followed Winter into the parking lot, where responding deputies confronted him, WESH reports.
The Temple’s History and Community Role
The Hindu Society of Central Florida says its temple’s “Maha Kshetra” opened on June 19, 2005. The society describes the temple as serving all Hindu sects and as a place of worship, learning and Indian arts and culture, according to its website and temple site.
Deputies Describe an Attempt to Flee
According to the report, Winter got into his vehicle and reversed before driving forward. A deputy blocked his path, and Winter ran from the vehicle and dove headfirst into a nearby pond. Deputies ultimately took him into custody.
As reported by WKRC, Winter was charged with battery, resisting an officer without violence, fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, and indecent exposure.
His First Court Appearance
Winter appeared at his first court appearance Monday afternoon but was not shown on camera before the judge, according to WESH. The station did not provide further details about his appearance.
Earlier Convictions and Probation
WESH reports that Winter is listed as a sexual predator on the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's website. He was found guilty in 2014 in Alachua County of three counts of lewd or lascivious molestation of a child and one count of lewd or lascivious battery of a child, the outlet reports.
He spent more than nine years in prison and was on probation when Sunday's alleged incident occurred, according to WESH.
What Is Known About the Fleeing Charge
Separately, Florida law treats willfully fleeing or attempting to elude a marked law-enforcement patrol vehicle with its siren and lights activated as a third-degree felony under Florida Statutes § 316.1935. A conviction under that statute also requires the court to revoke the person's driver license for at least one year and no more than five years.
