PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — A St. Petersburg man with a record of sex crimes dating back more than 20 years was arrested after police said he "continuously followed" and made "inappropriate comments" to a group of kids at a Pinellas County park.
According to Pinellas Park police, witnesses called to report a man following three young children around and saying "disturbing" things to them at Helen Howarth Park.
Investigators said they discovered 57-year-old Joseph Veltre asked the kids "if he could masturbate in front of them."
Officers arrested Veltre and charged him with one count of child abuse, one count of aggravated stalking and one count of traveling to meet a minor.
Veltre had been out of jail on bond for lewd and lascivious exhibition to an elderly adult or disabled person, the agency confirmed. He is also a registered sex offender.
A background check reveals several charges related to sex crimes against children. Veltre was convicted in 1994 for exposure of sexual organ. He was also convicted of lewd or lascivious exhibition in 2003.
In 2005, he was convicted of lewd and lascivious exhibition against a victim younger than 16 years old. In 2006, Veltre was convicted of lewd computer solicitation of a child and sexual activity with a minor.
Veltre faced at least three other charges over sex offenses in the early 2000s but had not been convicted.
Pinellas Park police did not say whether they believe there could be more victims.
