Margate Police Arrest Man Caught Masturbating Near 11-Year-Old on Broward County Bus

by Ryan Yousefi June 15, 2026

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Joel Ern Pizarro {BSO}

A Pompano Beach man was arrested after Margate police say he engaged in a lewd act near an 11-year-old girl aboard a Broward County Transit bus on her way to school.

According to a Margate Police Department arrest report, Joel Ern Pizarro, 30, was taken into custody on June 7 and charged with lewd or lascivious exhibition by an offender 18 years or older in the presence of a victim younger than 16, according to court records.

According to an arrest affidavit, the incident occurred on May 27 aboard a Broward County Transit bus near the 6600 block of West Atlantic Boulevard. Investigators said the girl was sitting alone when a man moved from the rear of the bus to a seat directly across the aisle from her. The victim later told police the man began masturbating while looking in her direction.

The girl attempted to discreetly record the incident on her cellphone before looking away. When the bus reached her stop, she immediately reported what had happened to the driver while the suspect exited the bus and walked away from the area, according to police.

Officers responded and escorted the girl to school after obtaining a description of Pizarro. During the investigation, detectives connected the suspect to a separate trespassing call reported later that day in the same area.

Investigators also noted that Pizarro had previously been arrested in November 2025 after employees and security cameras at a Broward County Tri-Rail station in Pompano Beach allegedly observed him engaging in a similar act in a public stairwell.

After being located at a Margate bus stop on June 7, Pizarro was questioned by detectives. According to the affidavit, he acknowledged being the person recorded by the victim but denied exposing himself or engaging in any lewd conduct.

Pizarro was booked into the Broward County Main Jail. Jail records show he is being held on a $50,000 bond.

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Ryan Yousefi

Ryan Yousefi has lived in Coral Springs for over 30 years. He has worked as a writer for multiples outlets over the years, including the Miami New Times where he has covered sports and culture since 2013. He holds a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree in Business Healthcare Management from Western Governors University.