Rails to Trails Suspect Granted Withheld Adjudication for Loitering/Prowling

On April 22, at 201 SE Depot Ave, around 9:30 a.m., Gainesville Police Department (GPD) officers arrested Moheet Mohan Kanolkar, 34, and charged him with loitering/prowling in an unusual place or manner. 

At the time, GPD was conducting increased patrols in the Rails to Trails area due to receiving a number of reports of public masturbation along the walking//biking path.

According to the arrest report, police were “approached by an individual who advised there was a subject hiding in the bushes just off the side of the walking trail. The anonymous citizen explained that the behavior was strange and requested that law enforcement try to contact the person. This behavior is consistent with frequent exposure of sexual organs incidents that the Gainesville Police Department has investigated recently."

The arrest report continues, “Upon approach by LEO, [Kanolkar] was approximately ten feet into the wood line, hiding behind a tree and shrubbery. As LEO walked closer, they noticed [Kanolkar] was pulling up his pants. LEO made contact, identified themselves, and gave [Kanolkar] a lawful command to exit the wood line. [Kanolkar] stood straight up and still behind the tree and did not move as if pretending he was still hidden. After approximately four lawful commands were given, [Kanolkar] exited the wood line.”

Kanolkar reportedly told police that he was “waiting for his boss.” Further investigation showed Kanolkar arrived in Gainesville from Atlanta early in the morning that same day. He had a bus ticket indicating his route began in Gary, Indiana.  

Kanolkar was reportedly unable to provide the name of his boss or business and did not give a reason for being in Gainesville. Kanolkar was also unable to “explain why he was pulling his pants up upon contact” with police, the arrest report states. 

Officer Justin Snitselaar reported, “Upon request for an identification, [Kanolkar] stated he did not have it on him. When asked if he had a FL ID, he stated yes. There is no record of [Kanolkar] having a FL ID, nor any ID in the United States whatsoever. Additionally, a standard NCIC/ECIC check, a fingerprint scan, use of facial recognition software, and a nationwide search of [Kanolkar] did not locate any positive ID for [him]. [Kanolkar] would not state whether he was a United States citizen, if he had a passport or visa, or if he had any other documentation to verify his identity. A consensual search of [Kanolkar]'s phone located multiple videos of a subject participating in self-pleasure, as well as many screenshots of various young women's Facebook pages. A consensual search of [Kanolkar]'s person located a condom and baby Iotion, both of which are routinely used by males who participated in self-pleasure. At no point did [Kanolkar] reasonably explain his reasoning for being in the woods, concealed by foliage, along a high traffic running trail. It is not normal for a law-abiding law-abiding citizen to conceal themselves, and upon contact by LEO, continue to attempt to stay concealed. [Kanolkar] was unable to dispel law enforcement concerns for the safety of people and property in the area based on all the aforementioned information.”

Kanolkar was referred for mental health court but Judge Susan Miller-Jones ordered the case to remain on the misdemeanor docket. 

Kanolkar later pled no contest to loitering/prowling and Miller-Jones imposed a time-served sentence. 

Kanolkar, who was born in India, was placed into the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after his case was closed. He is currently held at the Baker Correctional Institute.