Man continuously arrested for indecent exposure in Atlanta’s Virginia-Highland neighborhood

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – An un-housed man in Atlanta’s Virginia-Highland neighborhood has continuously been arrested for indecent exposure and urinating in public. Neighbors want to know why he doesn’t stay behind bars.

“I was in total shock like am I really seeing what I’m seeing right now,” said David Robertson, who lives in Virginia-Highland.

For three years, David Robertson has been dealing with this when he walks outside of his condo.

“It’s a never ending battle like what do we do? Like I don’t know what the solution here is,” said Robertson.

The same man, Ruben Gates according to police reports, masturbating in public.

“It’s just you shouldn’t do that in front of people. Period,” said Robertson.

Robertson has called the police more times than he can remember. He’s recorded videos because many times by the time police have arrived, Gates have left. Atlanta police confirmed they arrested Gates at least twice this year.

Gates’ records go as far back as the 1990’s in Fulton County’s system. Gates has seven cases listed with the Municipal Court of Atlanta.

He was arrested for exposing his genitals and public drinking on July 3. That case is still open. Less than two weeks later, he was arrested again for indecency. Three cases are for urinating or defecating in public. Those were closed when gates didn’t show up for court, according to records.

“There’s a lot of these issues around here and it seems that’s the outcome with every single one of them,” said Robertson.

We reached out to the Fulton County district attorney’s office to ask about what the sentencing could be in gates’ open cases and were told they would look into it.

“I just want it to stop. I would love to see it stop,” said Robertson.

According to Georgia law, a person can be sentenced to up to five years in prison for indecency and put on the sex offender registry.

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