February 21, 2003
Gary Davidson
Public Information Officer

SHERIFF’S OFFICE CRACKS DOWN ON LEWD BEHAVIOR AT I-4 REST AREA 

It’s among the only rest areas along the nation’s interstate highway system in Volusia County, and the word has gotten out that it’s a place for men to meet and engage in lewd behavior. In an effort to crack down on the illegal activity, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office is getting a different message out – that the I-4 rest area in Daytona Beach also is place where you can get arrested. 

“The motoring public and visitors to our community are entitled to use public facilities without being subjected to lewd acts and unwanted advances,” said Captain Dave Hudson, head of Investigative Services for the Sheriff’s Office. “Hopefully the word is spreading to anyone who would engage in this type of behavior and risk arrest that Volusia County is not the place to go.” 

The Sheriff’s Office is getting its message out through a series of periodic undercover sting operations, the most recent of which resulted in eight arrests last week. The rest area is located on the east side of I-4 near where International Speedway Boulevard branches off from the interstate. While the rest area has no bathroom facilities, there is a parking area along with picnic tables and an open field that has become a popular meeting spot for men looking for sex. The Sheriff’s Office’s Crime Suppression Team has targeted the area for periodic sting operations where a male deputy working undercover waits to be approached by suspected offenders. Once approached, the suspects strike up a conversation that quickly turns to sex. When the suspect exposes himself or commits any other offense, a signal is sent for the take-down team to move in. 

A total of eight men ranging in age from 34-60 were arrested on misdemeanor offenses during last week’s sting operation that took place Thursday night and into the early morning hours of Friday. Some of the eight were truck drivers passing though town. Others were local residents. Of the eight, court records show that four have pled guilty to disorderly conduct and were sentenced to time served – generally a day or two. The other four cases are moving through the court system. The names of the defendants and their original charges are as follows:

• Glenn C. Anderson, 47, Graniteville, SC. Exposure of sexual organ and battery.

• Tony E. Boffa, 38, 4485 Calvin Court, Daytona Beach. Exposure of sexual organ.

• Timothy J. Costello, 34, 3342 San Born Lane, Deltona. Exposure of sexual organ.

• Ronald F. Durst, 41, Madison, NC. Exposure of sexual organ.

• Clarence D. Hatfield, 58, 1800 E. Graves Ave., Orange City. Unnatural and lascivious act.

• David Moskwa, 45, Scranton, PA. Indecent exposure.

• Robert H. Oglesby, 60, 445 Perdita Street, Edgewater. Exposure of sexual organ.

• James R. Phillips, 42, 2536 Sheffield Drive, Deltona. Exposure of sexual organ.