PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. – Pembroke Pines police have ordered a registered sex offender to move from his apartment within the next 30 days.
Police said Joseph Fezza, 64 violated city ordinance, which states a registered sex offender or predator can't live within 2,500 feet of a school, day care, playground or park.
Regardless, the mother of a 9-year-old girl, whom Fezza was caught taking pictures of inside a Publix, said she will still hand out fliers warning others about him Saturday.
Local 10's Jeff Weinsier caught up with Fezza earlier this week.
"Mr. Fezza, I need to talk to you about why you are taking pictures of kids in Publix," said Weinsier.
"It was a mistake," said Fezza.
"You're a registered sex offender," replied Weinsier.
"I didn't do anything illegal," said Fezza. "I wasn't arrested."
Still, it's clear Fezza messed with wrong person.
"The police could not arrest him," said Maria Padilla-Leon, the mother of the child whose picture was taken by Fezza. "I went up, took his picture and I immediately put it on Facebook and I asked people to share it."
Padilla-Leon's picture had been shared and forwarded to more than 30,000 other Facebook users in just days.
"You decided to plaster this all over social media?" asked Weinsier.
"Yes, I did," said Padilla-Leon. "It was my old weapon, only defense against this man."
Fezza was spotted taking pictures of the girl as she stood at the deli with her family. Police were called and it was learned Fezza was a registered sex offender.
However, taking a picture in a public place isn't illegal, even for a sex offender.
Fezza did delete the pictures and other pictures he had on his phone of women, and he was issued a trespass warning at the Publix.
"It appears we have done everything we possibly could," said Davie police Capt. Dale Engle
"The mother is horrified," Weinsier told Fezza.
"I understand that," said Fezza.
"What do you have to say about that?" asked Weinsier.
"I'm sorry," said Fezza.
"Why did you take the picture?" asked Weinsier.
"Bipolar or something, I don't know," said Fezza.