Fox TV station's general manager arrested at adult video store

TAMPA — The general manager of WTVT-Ch. 13 in Tampa was arrested Friday night at an adult video store on charges of exposure of a sexual organ and lewd and lascivious behavior.

Robert W. Linger, 49, was one of six men arrested by undercover officers inside the movie theater at Fantasy Land Adult Video Store, 4714 N Lois Ave., Tampa.

According to the arrest reports, the six men formed a circle around the undercover officers inside the theater and began masturbating.

Fox 13 News reported the arrest on its Web site, stating that it is "aware of the matter and is currently reviewing it."

Fantasy Land has a full-screen theater with couches. There is a sign inside the theater that states "no sexual acts allowed beyond this point," an employee said Saturday. The theater is considered a public place.

The men were each charged with exposure of sexual organs and lewd and lascivious acts, both misdemeanors. They were taken to the Orient Road Jail.

The men arrested are Linger, of Lutz; Thomas J. Licari, 42, of Lakeland; Michael C. Cabral, 35, of Spring Hill; Ray E. Willis, 52, of Clearwater; Bernard Rosen, 72, of St. Petersburg; and Oscar Garcia-Soler, 39, of Tampa.

All men, except Rosen, have been released from jail, records show. Linger was released at 5:36 a.m. Saturday on $750 bail, records show.

This wasn't the first time police arrested people at Fantasy Land. In July 2002, police arrested 14 people on prostitution and other charges.

Jessica Vander Velde can be reached at jvandervelde@sptimes.com or (813) 661-2443.

Comments on this article

by Matt	May 19, 2008 11:02 AM
I never agreed with posting of arrests in the media. "Innocent until proven guilty in the court of law," right? Not granted due to media exposure. So, I find it interesting that a pursuer of real life stories now is the story himself.

by Ryan	May 19, 2008 11:01 AM
Have you ever noticed the Saint Pete Times jumps at any chance to report on another news outlets employee arrests?

by bdiddy	May 19, 2008 11:01 AM
not that is hilarious. An old fashioned circle jerk. I didn't really think those existed. Maybe he was in there undercover for their next big story! I am sure its one big misunderstanding.

by OS	May 19, 2008 11:00 AM
Thank-You Sara, your 100% correct. These type of people need to do things that will give them more of a rush each time they get the "urge" . Their the ones that end up raping/molesting children. Thank TPD for keeping my boys and me a little safer.

by Percy

May 19, 2008 10:59 AM

I'm not sure why the police make this type of arrest. Everybody is there to see sexual content so it must be presumed that the sight of someone flogging themselves in the darkness can't be too offensive to them. Secondly, isn't it expected that most in the theatre are there to whack? If people are going to enjoy this kind of hobby we should be thankful that there is a discreet place for them so that they don't end up doing it in other, improper places. The biggest risk in these theatres is a slip and fall injury. The thing that made me wonder the most is this... How on earth did the TPD find an officer that was willing to sit IN THE VERY CENTER of an illegal circle jerk? I'd be horrified if I was asked to be the "target" of the whacking outlaws as they geared up for the mother of all money shots. Eeech!

by Delmer Fudd	May 19, 2008 10:58 AM
What i wanna know is what undercover officers were doing in the middle of a circle jerk?

by Mike	May 19, 2008 10:58 AM
Were the cops "that" good looking????

by Lori	May 19, 2008 10:58 AM
Here's a clue, if you have alot to lose don't do stupid stuff like this in public. Idiot.

by FJ	May 19, 2008 10:58 AM
Stupid,Stupid,Stupid!!!!

by Sam	May 19, 2008 10:58 AM
What is wrong with Republicans? There have been innumerable sexcapades with the repressed right-wingers. Senator Craig and Senator Vittner first come to mind.

by Kevin	May 19, 2008 10:58 AM
I never want to hear how the police department needs more funding EVER again. If they can afford to run operations like this, they they clearly have plenty of money...unless, of course, all the murders, rapes, robberies, and thefts have all been solved and no crime is going on anywhere else. STUPID WASTE OF TAX DOLLARS.

by Lynn	May 19, 2008 10:58 AM
Another bunch of sicko guys....big shocker.

by yeah...	May 19, 2008 9:43 AM
lmao It looks like MA is somewhat bitter as far as this subject is concerned

by Heather	May 18, 2008 1:48 PM
Aren't there real crimes going on around town?

by S	May 18, 2008 1:46 PM
I'm confused. Is Fantasy Land a gay place? Were the undercover officers guys or gals?

by Pat	May 18, 2008 1:46 PM
"...the six men formed a circle around the undercover officers inside the theater and began masturbating." I want more information than this. How did it get to that point? Men don't just form circles and start masturbating. Do they??? The Horror!

by RM	May 18, 2008 1:46 PM
Caught in a Circle Jerk with the undercover cop in the middle? I don't know if I am more embarrassed for the cop in the middle or the GM whose pic is in the paper!

by SP	May 18, 2008 11:37 AM
Wow, how offensive. They saw penis in an adult movie theater.

by Nick	May 18, 2008 11:37 AM
Why is this news? Why don't the cops try to protect people? This is an easy arrest, and makes front page, and does nothing to make us safer.

by Paul Reubens	May 18, 2008 11:37 AM
That isn't THAT embarrassing

by MA	May 18, 2008 11:37 AM
BUNCH OF PERVERTS!! GO HOME TO YOUR WIFE AND GIRLFRIENDS AND TELL THEM NOW THE TRUTH ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS TO THEM!! THEY SHOULD ALL GET DIVORCED!! JUST LIKE SWITZER, AND ALL THEM PERVERTS TOO! MOVE ON GIRLS!!

by Ray	May 18, 2008 11:37 AM
Police are doing such a fine job rounding up these hardened criminals and protecting us from them.

by Sal	May 18, 2008 11:37 AM
Sick puppies! Go get a private room somewhere...

by Hunter	May 18, 2008 11:37 AM
THE Tabloid news station does hardly a mention. No picture in orange jumpsuit, no mug shot , no perp walk. Guess its who you know.

by Toad	May 18, 2008 11:36 AM
Maybe these were the Tampa auditions for the summer American Idol replacement... 'Next on Fox, House of Wacks! Randy says 'I can feel it, dawg..."

by Fugilebrity	May 18, 2008 11:36 AM
Our tax dollars at work! I wonder if TPD has a set of gay cops to work this detail. We know the ones that work the girls are definitely hetero and enjoy their work!

by sally	May 18, 2008 11:36 AM
Did the undercover officers wait till it was over.

by cw	May 18, 2008 11:36 AM
figures it was a FOX employee

by Melissa	May 18, 2008 11:36 AM
Men just keep getting grosser and grosser! He probably has a neglected wife and kids because all he can think about is his weener!

by Mel	May 18, 2008 11:36 AM
Me thinks there is a good candidate for budget cuts in there for the Police Dept. if they have time for this.

by Steve	May 18, 2008 11:36 AM
Always the far right (or their mouthpiece as in this case) involved in "wide stance" type stings. Why don't all these guys just come out of the closet and stop hating themselves?

by Sara	May 18, 2008 11:36 AM
So if you don't like the law, just ignore it? First of all, IT'S AGAINST THE LAW....and secondly, what would these creeps do next when masturbating in front of each other isn't enough of a rush? The law is the law...even if you agree with their act

by JM	May 18, 2008 11:35 AM
WOW, SOUNDS LIKE THEY WERE SURROUNDED.

by Ray	May 18, 2008 11:35 AM
Don't let it be said that the people at Fox aren't willing to "let it ALL hang out".

by rich	May 18, 2008 1:19 AM
I feel so much safer, dont cops have more serious things to worry about.