Indecent Exposure is charged in Fort Collins and Larimer County, when a person exposes themselves for sexual purposes or masturbates in public. A man was recently arrested for this crime after he was caught watching porn and touching himself twice on the same day. According to the report, the man was approached at a local diner one morning and asked to leave. The staff had seen him watching pornography moving his hand under a blanket covering his lap. When officers spoke to the man, he admitted to watching porn in the restaurant, but denied masturbating. Just a few hours later, the police were again contacted by a different restaurant reporting a man masturbating and watching porn in their restaurant. Police responded to find the same man being accused of the same actions. He was arrested and charged with Indecent Exposure.
Indecent Exposure Definition: Charges for Masturbating in Public in Colorado
The Larimer County, Colorado law definition of Indecent Exposure – C.R.S. 18-7-302 – is:
(a) If he or she knowingly exposes his or her genitals to the view of any person under circumstances in which such conduct is likely to cause affront or alarm to the other person with the intent to arouse or to satisfy the sexual desire of any person;
(b) If he or she knowingly performs an act of masturbation in a manner which exposes the act to the view of any person under circumstances in which such conduct is likely to cause affront or alarm to the other person.
If this had occurred in Colorado, the man would likely be facing two charges under subsection (b). It’s important to note that the person does not actually have to expose their genitals to get charged with this crime. Even if all body parts are covered, exposing those around to the act (i.e. showing the motions even though the pal is covered).
Sentence for Indecent Exposure in Loveland and Estes Park
In Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park, Indecent Exposure for masturbating in public is a class 1 misdemeanor sex offense. A conviction of this offense requires the person to register as a sex offender for a certain period of time. However, if the person has 2 or more prior convictions for this offense, then it is charged as a class 6 felony.