Hawthorne Arrest Follows Report of Naked Confrontation at Motel

HAWTHORNE – A 36-year-old Hawthorne man was arrested Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, after deputies say he exposed himself to a utility worker outside a local motel and later resisted attempts by law enforcement to take him into custody.

According to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began around 9:30 a.m. when a utility worker arrived at the Ranch Motel on U.S. Highway 301 in a marked commercial vehicle. The worker reported seeing a man waving him down from one of the rooms and he drove closer to speak to the man,

When the worker stepped out of his vehicle, the man—identified by deputies as Andrew William Martone—reportedly walked out of his room onto the sidewalk without any clothes on and began screaming. The worker told deputies the man then grabbed his genitals and moved in a manner suggestive of sexual intercourse. He kept watch on the room until a deputy arrived, stating Martone had gone back inside.

Deputies attempted to make contact with Martone, who allegedly refused to answer the door. The property manager later provided surveillance video that deputies say showed Martone coming out of the room completely naked and making “vulgar” gestures before returning inside.

Multiple deputies responded, and a family member offered to help encourage Martone to exit the room. Deputies said the family member spoke to Martone through the door for some time and ultimately persuaded him to come outside. When instructed to place his hands behind his back, Martone allegedly attempted to go back into the room.

Deputies reported that two officers moved to restrain him, but Martone tensed his body and resisted being handcuffed. After he was detained, Martone was advised of his rights. Deputies said he initially claimed he had been outside “playing his guitar,” but when informed the incident had been recorded on video, he reportedly admitted to exposing himself and described himself as “in a silly mood.”

Martone allegedly resisted again when deputies attempted to place him in a patrol vehicle, prompting additional officers to assist by pulling him into the vehicle from the opposite side.

He was charged with indecent exposure and three counts of resisting an officer without violence. According to court records, Martone has four prior non-violent misdemeanor convictions.

Judge David Kreider set bail at $9,500.

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