Nate Allen holds press conference; Victim speaks only to WINK

FORT MYERS, Fla.- NFL player, Cape Coral native Nate Allen, Nate’s family, and his lawyer Sawyer Smith held a press conference Tuesday morning, after the State Attorney’s Office cleared Allen in the indecent exposure investigation that surrounded him last week.

Allen and Smith are calling on the Fort Myers Police Department to hire an outside agency to fully investigate what went wrong.

Allen thanked his supporters and said he hopes no ones else endures the false accusations and humiliation that he did.

Last week, a 16-year-old girl called 911 and said a man exposed himself to her while driving in his black pick-up truck on US 41 in Fort Myers.

Police began an investigation, and wrongfully pulled Allen over. The girl mistakenly identified Allen as the suspect and police detained him for questioning for hours. Allen was never charged with a crime, and maintained his innocence from the beginning. Evidence now reveals there is no way he could have been involved, and indicates there was another black truck in the area at the time. That suspect is still on the loose.

Smith, on behalf of Allen’s family, called for change to local law enforcement and said the family came under attack by the people who are supposed to protect them.

Smith says there is a possibility of filing a civil suit against Fort Myers police but they need to take a look at what went wrong.

Fort Myers Police Chief Doug Baker says he is opening an internal investigation into how the case was handled but will not comment further.

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TEEN INVOLVED TALKS ONLY TO WINK

The 16-year-old involved released a statement only to WINK News about what happened on February 16 and the fallout since:

I’m thankful the Fort Myers Police Department is continuing the investigation into the disgusting act I saw on February 16th. I want nothing more than for police to find the man who did this. If he’s willing to do something like that in broad daylight, on one of the busiest roads in Fort Myers, what is he capable of doing when no one else is around?

I would like everyone to know that I never lied to the police. I called 911 when I saw something I knew was wrong. The truth is, I’m scared of driving on 41 ever again. I’m scared I’ll see that man again. Since February 16th, I haven’t been able to sleep without having nightmares. To turn on the TV and hear complete strangers attack me and call me a liar is cruel.

I know someone else was pulled over for matching the description of the man who did this to me. It wasn’t until after he was handcuffed that the police informed my family of that man’s name, and what he does for a living. I had no clue who he was. I know how this situation has affected him, and his family and friends. But just as his family is upset by what happened to him, mine is heartbroken that the person who truly did this to me is still out there.

My hope is that if someone knows about the man who did this, that they come forward and tell authorities. I want to thank the police who responded on February 16th. I was scared and alone, and they were nothing but caring and kind.

Allen had a similar message during his news conference Tuesday morning.

“My heart and condolences go out to this girl and her family for what has happened because as I’ve come to find out, we were both victims in this whole entire thing.”

The 16 year old told police the suspect was driving a four door black truck.

She described the man as in his 40-50’s, with a white grey goatee.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Fort Myers Police Department.