Police Seek Burnsville Man Accused of Public Masturbation

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Authorities have issued a nationwide arrest warrant for a Burnsville man accused of masturbating in front of a man and his young daughter in May, telling police that he was “in heat.”

Anthony Wayne Smith, 25, is charged with fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct, a gross misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of a year in jail and a $3,000 fine.

According to the criminal complaint, police were called to a home on Brookview Drive just after 5:30 p.m. May 9 on a report of an indecent exposure.

Officers met with a man and his daughter, who said they were playing basketball outside their home when Smith, wearing only bicycle shorts, approached.

Smith had his hand inside his pants and was masturbating, the man told police. He said when he initially saw Smith approaching, he thought little of it until he saw the look on his daughter’s face and realized what Smith was doing.

The man sent his daughter inside.

The man said he took Smith by the shoulder and led him to the curb to sit down, then called police and waited with Smith until officers arrived.

While they waited, Smith apologized to the man, but told him he was “in heat,” according to the complaint.

When police arrived, they asked Smith what happened. Smith admitted exposing his penis, but apologized and said again, “I’m in heat,” the complaint says. Smith’s bicycle shorts and legs were wet, and it appeared that he had “been in a pond or soiled himself,” according to the complaint.

Smith was arrested and taken to a hospital for evaluation. En route, he continued to talk to himself, referring to “a dog in heat” and apologizing for “doing that in front of kids,” the complaint says.

Anyone with information on Smith’s whereabouts should contact local police, either by reporting a tip online or calling the Dakota County Sheriff's Office at 651-438-TIPS.