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Man corners woman in Margaritaville bathroom, exposes self, Key West police say

KEY WEST, Fla. – Key West police arrested an out-of-town visitor over the weekend after they said he followed a woman into a bathroom at a popular restaurant, cornered her and exposed himself.

Robert Jake Farnsworth, 43, of Arlington, Virginia, is facing charges of false imprisonment, battery and indecent exposure.

According to police, the incident happened at around 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, located at 500 Duval St.

An arrest report stated that Farnsworth, whose occupation is listed as “military,” followed the woman into the bathroom.

The woman, from Hollywood, told police that while she was lifting her pants up, a man later identified as Farnsworth opened the door and said, “Keep doing what you’re doing and don’t stop,” the report states.

Police said the woman told Farnsworth several times to leave her alone, but he tried to kiss her.

The report states as the woman tried to leave the bathroom, Farnsworth “extended his arms outward” in an attempt to keep her from leaving the stall.

Police said he then “pulled out his genitals” and asked the woman to touch and perform oral sex on his penis.

“While trying to leave the stall again, (the victim) stated the male individual grabbed her shoulders in an attempt to keep her in place,” Key West police Officer Samuel Adorno wrote in the report. “(She) stated she was able to break free and exit the bathroom shortly after.”

Adorno wrote that the woman said she was “not sure” how Farnsworth got in the bathroom, which she thought had been locked.

Police said the woman’s sister, after returning to their table, had asked her, “Where have you been?” and the woman explained what happened.

The report states that the woman’s sister told officers that Farnsworth had been “staring at their table for an extensive amount of time” prior to the victim using the bathroom.

Police said they were able to get a description and photo of Farnsworth and another officer located him at The Bull, a bar at 224 Duval St.

Adorno wrote that he spoke with Farnsworth “and asked what happened tonight.”

Farnsworth, police said, replied, “Where?” and upon being pressed further replied, “That I do not know.”

Police said they then took him into custody.

Jail records show Farnsworth was released from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Key West jail facility on a $30,000 bond Sunday night.


About the Author

Chris Gothner joined the Local 10 News team in 2022 as a Digital Journalist.

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