Multiple charges of indecent exposure have been brought against a Eupora man, including at least one instance alleged to have occurred on city property. Joshua Whitlock, 43, was booked into the Webster County Jail on 10 misdemeanor counts of indecent exposure the afternoon of Oct. 25. Justice Court Judge Cody Carden set his bond at $5,000, or $500 for each count. Whitlock was released after posting bail about 12:30 p.m. Sunday; the ProgressTimes has learned he is represented by attorney Angela Brooks of Tupelo. Charging affidavits had not been filed in Justice Court as of midday Tuesday and no initial court date had been set as of then. Sheriff David Gore said each count is for a separate instance of indecent exposure that occurred here in the county. Sgt. Andrew Banks, who investigated the case for the Webster County Sheriffís Department, said each incident was filmed and posted on the social media website X, formerly known as Twitter. According to Banks and other media reports, at least one of the videos that surfaced was filmed on the former Garan property, now owned by the city of Eupora, on Veterans Memorial Boulevard South between Government Avenue and Mississippi Street. Banks said that video was filmed ìin broad daylightî and shows the subject exposing himself. The investigator said he verified the video was posted on X on Sept. 29. However, as of last week, Banks said he was not sure if that was the date the video was actually recorded. ìThe whole account has been pulled down,î he said. Sept. 29, a Sunday, was the day after the Eupora Chainsaws & Art Festival concluded. Banks said the man in the video started out sitting on a bench that was created during the festival, then began walking around. The bench was among masterpiece wood carvings left on the grounds as donations to the city, which removed the bench the afternoon of Oct. 24, Gore said. Banks confirmed that Vís Peace, Love and Happy Faces, which is located on the opposite side of the highway across from the chainsaw carvings, is visible at one point in the video. The daycare center would have been closed if the video was filmed the Sunday it was posted on X. ìIf we couldíve done more we wouldíve done more,î Sheriff Gore said of the charges filed. The Mississippi Code states a person who willfully and lewdly exposes his person, or private parts, in any public place, or in any place where others are present is guilty of a misdemeanor. A firstoffense conviction of indecent exposure is punishable by a fine not exceeding $500 or imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both. Eupora Police Chief Lawrence Caradine said he turned the case over to the Sheriffís Department because of a conflict of interest. He was referring in part to Whitlock having been a member and chair of the city-appointed Eupora 2% Commission. Its volunteer members focus on parks and recreation initiatives aimed at attracting newcomers to the community through the cityís special tax of 2%. Additionally, the Eupora Board of Aldermen authorized Whitlockís hiring as part-time contract staff (up to 20 hours a week) in August 2023 to assist in organizing and digitizing city documents. He emailed the city on Oct. 23 of last week that he was immediately resigning ìfrom my city job and all my city volunteer positions.î Eupora Economic Development has organized the Chainsaws & Art Festival the last two years. Executive Director Janet Cook posted a statement regarding ìdisturbing incidents involving local festival artworkî on its Facebook page on Oct. 24. ìWe, at Eupora E c o n o m i c Development, are deeply disturbed and saddened by the inappropriate behavior displayed in a video circulating on social media,î she wrote. ìWe want to clarify that the individual involved is not a member or representative of our organization, but rather a volunteer from another local organization. The individual was not, at any time, a board member or official representative of Eupora E c o n o m i c Development. ìThe incident took place on a bench that was recently carved as a part of last monthís Chainsaws & Art Festival, which makes the situation particularly upsetting for us and for many in the community. We are in disbelief that such an event could occur in connection with something that was meant to be a positive and creative contribution to our town,î Cook continued. ìWhile we cannot control the actions of individuals outside our organization, we want to reaffirm our commitment to integrity, professional and respect in all our community efforts,î she stated. ìWe remain focused on building a strong, positive atmosphere and will not let this incident undermine the spirit of collaboration and artistry that weíve worked so hard to cultivate.î
