A former Jacksonville Beach Police Department employee was among eight men arrested in an undercover sex sting at a Jacksonville park on Thursday, Oct. 1.

Peter Smith, 63, a longtime Jacksonville Beach resident, worked with JBPD for more than a decade and was released from the department about two weeks before the sting, according to JacksonvilleBeaches.info. His specific role at the department was not described.

Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Vice Unit detectives set up the operation at Beach and Peach Urban Park in the Southside Estates area after receiving months of complaints about illegal sexual activity there, First Coast News reported.

JSO Media Relations Manager Christian Hancock told First Coast News the department had received daily complaints from people and families who said they encountered improper activity while trying to use the park.

All eight men face charges of offering to commit lewdness after allegedly approaching an undercover detective and soliciting sexual acts. JSO said some also exposed themselves.

"In just one day, detectives arrested eight men after they approached the undercover detective and solicited a sexual act in the park," the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said on X.

In addition to Smith, those arrested were John Aguirre, 62; George Freeman, 72; Cedric Jones, 56; Alejandro Brioso Martinez, 37; Tajmaus Johnson Jr., 28; Florentino De La Cruz, 47; and Elkin Espitia, 45, according to Action News Jax.

Aguirre also faces a charge of possession of a controlled substance. Martinez faces additional counts of possession of a controlled substance and using drug paraphernalia. De La Cruz was also charged with exposing sexual organs in public.

Hancock told First Coast News that undercover operations can reduce activity at a location quickly but cautioned that the behavior could shift elsewhere. He said JSO will continue patrolling parks throughout Jacksonville.

Diana Dover, a 25-year resident of the area near the park, told First Coast News she had personally witnessed sexual activity while walking through the park. She said she was relieved by the arrests but wants a stronger police presence going forward.


Action News Jax reported Oct. 20 that Espitia had not entered a plea and that court records scheduled his arraignment for Oct. 22. The report did not state the outcome of that hearing. Beaches Beacon had not found a published JBPD response about Smith's employment or arrest as of Oct. 28.

Residents who witness suspicious activity at any city park can call JSO's non-emergency line at 904-630-0500.