The Lee County Sheriff's Office responded to Gulf Coast Fitness in Fort Myers after an 18-year-old said an older man fondled himself while talking to him in the dry sauna.
The incident report says the man came into the sauna fully nude, was talking to the 18-year-old about sports and school, and five minutes into their conversation, the suspect was stroking himself while talking with him.
"It's an awesome facility, so I wouldn't think that would happen here," Kena Epps said. He's a personal trainer who brings clients to the gym. "That should not be going on here. He should find a better place to do that, like at his house or something like that."
The incident report says the man went to staff at the front desk, who immediately took action.
"Anything that's inappropriate, or a member feels uncomfortable, we address that issue right away," Manager Jackie Rivera said. "Immediately we notified the police and had the situation handled. The gentleman was escorted out of the building and he is no longer allowed on the property, obviously."
The 63-year-old suspect told Lee County deputies he didn't make any advances or touch himself in a sexual manner. He then said he may have scratched his genitals once or twice, but denied doing more than that.
Rivera said everyone should always check their surroundings and be on the look out no matter where they are.
"Incidents like this can happen anywhere. Not just because of our gym. But unfortunately, it did happen, and again, we did address it right away. We want everyone to feel comfortable here," Rivera said.
The man in this case was not arrested, but a citizen's complaint was completed, and he's been trespassed from the gym.
