LAKE CITY, Fla. – Lake City police arrested a man Saturday at the Snow Day event at Darby Pavilion.
Police said Herbert Hamblen III, 52, approached children as they were dancing at the Lake City annual Snow Day event. Hamblen actually made it onto the stage and was trying to dance with a couple of the girls and was seen getting extremely close to them; almost rubbing up against them. Police then escorted him away from the stage area.
According to the authorities the suspect didn’t appear to be drunk and told police he wasn’t taking any medication.
Hambien does not appear to have any prior sexual offense history, but the suspect did admit to police that he had done this before.
Officers want parents to be cautious of ‘everyone’ when taking their children to events.
“Be aware of your surroundings if it’s something suspicious get an administrator, an organizer, call the police,” said Officer Craig Strickland, Lake City Public Information Officer. “That’s what we’re there for. If it’s suspicious and you’re feeling funny about it then something’s most likely going to be off.”
Police said Hamblen told them during questioning that he was there to "pick up a little girl" and to "make them feel good physically." He also told officers that "he likes them as young as they get."
Because of both witnesses’ and Hamblen's statements and statements by about his actions on the stage, Hamblen was removed and arrested. He was taken to the Columbia County Detention Facility and held with no bond on charges of lewd and lascivious exhibition and disturbing the peace.