MMA fighter Imani Smith accused of being serial flasher in Virginia Beach

[TW] The following story details multiple incidents of indecent exposure.

According to WFMY News 2 Imani Smith, 24, an amateur MMA fighter, has been arrested and accused of being a serial flasher. Investigators suspect Smith in a string of incidents that have occurred over the past month at the Landstown Commons Shopping Center in Virginia Beach, VA.

Smith, whose fight nickname is ‘The Resurrected’, holds a 6-8 amateur record. He has been competing since 2010 and has fought for Spartyka Fight League on numerous occasions. He has also made appearances for Modern Gladiators Fighting Championships, Fire & Ice Fighting Championships, and American Fight League (where he holds an amateur welterweight title).

Police have charged Smith with six counts of indecent exposure and four counts of masturbation (acted or simulated) in public. It is claimed that Smith sat in a car outside Landstown Commons asking women who passed by for directions. It is alleged that Smith would expose himself and perform a sexual act on himself as those women approached the vehicle.

Investigators say they were able to identify Smith thanks to help from the public. Police had been appealing for information on the ‘Landstown Flasher’ since early June. The Virginia Beach Police Department Investigative Division believes that, due to the nature of these incidents, there may be more flashing victims out there. They are asking that anyone who witnessed incidents, like those described above, to contact (757) 385-4101 and file a report.

Yesterday Smith spoke to news outlet WTKR from behind bars. He told reporter Allison Mechanic that he is innocent and that he is a victim of mistaken identity. He added that he was not in Virginia Beach at the time of the flashing incidents and he had photographic evidence to prove this. The prosecution has stated that several witnesses had picked Smith out of a photo line-up and that license plate details provided by witnesses match the license plate to a car belonging to Smith’s girlfriend.

In Virginia indecent exposure and public masturbation are both Class 1 misdemeanors. Both offenses are punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. Defendants found guilty of these charges are added to the state’s sex offender registry.

Smith was released from jail on a $5,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court in August. He is considered innocent of all charges until proven guilty.