Indecent Exposure is a sex offense charged in Greeley and Weld County. A man was recently sentenced to 8 years to life (an indeterminate sentence) for a series of Indecent Exposure and inappropriate contacts with woman on Colorado hiking trails. According to the report, the naked man would approach woman hiking alone. While details were not provided, he must have also had physical contact with at least some of the women because he pled guilty to Attempted Sexual Assault and Unlawful Sexual Contact, along with the Indecent Exposure charge. Because of the nature of the contacts – victims were all strangers and the high number of victims – he was seen to be a high risk to society and therefore sentenced to an indeterminate amount of time in prison.
Colorado Indecent Exposure Attorney: Definition of Indecent Exposure in Greeley
The Greeley, 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.
The man was likely charged under subsection (a). The elements for this crime include:
- Exposing genitals;
- The exposure causes alarm to another; and
- The purpose of the exposure is sexual.
Combined with the man’s attempts at touching the women, the argument was likely made that he was attempting to satisfy his own sexual desires.
Sentence for Indecent Exposure in Firestone: A Mead Criminal Defense Attorney Explains
As long as there are no aggravating elements, Indecent Exposure is a class 1 misdemeanor. This level misdemeanor sex offense is punishable by up to 364 days in the Weld County Jail. A conviction would also require a period of registering as a sex offender. If the person charged with Indecent Exposure has two or more prior convictions of the same or similar crime, or if the person exposes themselves to a someone under the age of 15, then it is charged as a class 6 felony. This level felony is punishable by 12 to 18 months in the Colorado Department of Corrections.