Lakeland Man Arrested After Allegedly Exposing Himself to 5-Year-Old at Mulberry Walmart

David Hicks / PCSO

Lakeland Man Arrested After Allegedly Exposing Himself to Child at Mulberry Walmart

LAKELAND, Fla. — A Lakeland man has been arrested after Polk County Sheriff's Office detectives say he exposed himself to a 5-year-old girl inside the Mulberry Walmart earlier this week.

The investigation began after the alleged incident on July 6, 2026, when detectives say an older white male exposed himself to the young child while inside the store. Surveillance footage of the suspect was later released through Crime Stoppers on July 8 in an effort to identify him, along with a redacted surveillance video from inside the Walmart. 

According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, an anonymous Crime Stoppers tip received on July 9 identified the suspect as David Hicks, stating he had allegedly committed a similar offense in Toccoa, Georgia. Detectives compared Hicks' driver's license photograph to the surveillance footage and said he appeared to be the same individual seen in the videos.

At approximately 1:00 p.m. Thursday, detectives responded to Hicks' residence on John David Place in Lakeland, where he was taken into custody without incident.

Investigators said Hicks, 62 (DOB: March 1, 1964), declined to speak with detectives following his arrest.

He is currently facing the following felony charges:

• Indecent Exposure (F3)
• Lewd Exhibition (F3)
• Exposure of Sexual Organs (F3)

David Hicks / PCSO

According to the Sheriff's Office, Hicks has an extensive criminal history involving similar allegations dating back more than three decades, including multiple arrests for indecent exposure in South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Records also show two child molestation arrests in Georgia in 1998, with one case resulting in adjudication withheld and five years of probation.

Detectives also noted that David Hicks is the younger brother of Thomas Hicks, who was previously arrested during Operation Child Protector VIII and remains in the Polk County Jail facing numerous felony charges, including human trafficking.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office is asking anyone who believes they may have been a victim of David Hicks, or anyone who has witnessed similar behavior involving him, to contact detectives at 863-298-6200.

The investigation remains ongoing.