Judge Promises Crackdown On Local Perverts, Key West Citizen (Article, December 1954)

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Judge Promises Crackdown On Local Perverts

But Says He Won't Condone Molesting Of Homosexuals

A full-scale crackdown on sex perverts in Key West was promised today by City Judge Enrique Esquinaldo, Jr.

But at the same time, the Judge said that he will not condone molesting of perverts.

He made that statement after dealing out a six month jail sentence to a man accused of badly beating a Casa Marina Hotel bellboy.

The man, Al Lessard, an assistant cook at the Key Wester Hotel, found guilty on counts of assault and battery and theft, was sentenced to pay a $250 fine or serve three months in the city jail on each count. When he said that he could not pay the fine, he was remanded to the city jail.

Charges Propositioning

Lessard said that he struck the beating victim, identified as Burdette Fisher, because "he propositioned me." The alleged indecent proposal, he said, took place as they were seated in Fisher's car near the Casa Marina.

But Fisher testified yesterday that he was driving Lessard to the Key Wester after meeting him in a Duval St. bar when he said "he was on the lam and needed money and a car to get away."

"And then he started beating me--he was like a maniac," said Fisher. He added that Lessard then took his watch and the one dollar bill that was in his wallet. Fisher said that he then told his assailant that he had more money in his room in the Casa Marina, and dashed into the lobby from where he called police.

Left in Car

Lessard then drove off in Fisher's car and was picked up later in a local bar by Police Lt. W. L. James. Lessard was wearing Fisher's watch and his shirt was spattered with blood when he was arrested.

"If ever a case of assault and battery was proven, this is it," said Judge Esquinaldo as he meted out the sentence Wednesday.

The term is unusually severe for a city court, and was the maximum under city law.

Judge Esquinaldo said today the homosexual problem "is not too serious in Key West--and we're not going to let it get that way."

"The police are picking up perverts as soon as they spot them and they're going to realize that Key West is not a good hunting ground" said Judge Esquinaldo.

Police authorities added today that "we are keeping right after them."