21 men accused of public lewd behavior in Martin County; more sought | Photos

MARTIN COUNTY — Twenty-one men have been arrested and 24 more are being sought after an investigation into what officials say were public sex acts at a park on Hutchinson Island, Martin County Sheriff William Snyder said.

The investigation at Joe’s River Park in the 3500 block of Northeast Ocean Boulevard began months ago, Snyder said.

“It’s a public health issue, and it’s a public safety issue, and it’s a quality-of-life issue,” Snyder said, noting the incidents occurred during daylight hours.

One of those arrested, Steven Couzens, was identified as an assistant public defender.

Using a covert camera, sheriff’s investigators recorded what Snyder said is video evidence of 45 men engaged in public sex.

“The enforcement effort was solely based on reports of open sexual activity in public,” he said. “We’re targeting sexual activity in public.”

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Sheriff’s officials said they also learned similar activities were occurring at nearby Bob Graham Beach.

Almost all of the arrests were on misdemeanor charges, and nearly all of those arrested list addresses on the Treasure Coast.

Bob Graham Beach has experienced such activity “on and off for years,” Snyder said.

He said no arrests have been made yet in connection with activity at Bob Graham Beach.

“If they’ve been doing this at Bob Graham Beach, they shouldn’t be surprised if there’s a knock at their door,” Snyder said.

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He said investigators have used the covert camera in the past, but not for this type of investigation.

Without the camera, he said, officials wouldn’t have been able to make such strong cases.

“We have had complaints to our road patrol deputies who work that area that people who have gone out on that boardwalk at Joe’s River Park were seeing men engaged in open sexual behavior,” Snyder said.

The investigation is continuing.

Arrested

Those arrested in the operation include: