A Durango man who pleaded guilty to indecent exposure was sentenced this week to two years probation and sex offender treatment.
Tyler Martinez, 31, was accused of following around an employee at Beads & Beyond, 840 Main Ave., with his hand down his pants moving “up and down in a manner consistent with masturbation,” according to an arrest affidavit.
The behavior occurred on two occasions, Dec. 23 and Jan. 2, according to the affidavit.
Martinez pleaded guilty to indecent exposure on April 17 in a plea agreement that dropped three other outstanding charges, including harassment, obstructing a peace officer and criminal mischief for allegedly throwing a rock at a car, said 6th Judicial District Attorney Sean Murray.
Martinez was released April 17 from La Plata Jail on a personal recognizance bond, but after failing to appear in court on May 20, an arrest warrant was issued and he was jailed again on the same day, Murray said.
Martinez was released Wednesday after receiving a sentence of two years probation, a protection order preventing him from returning to Beads & Beyond, and a no contact order for the employee he made sexual gestures toward, Murray said.
Conditions of Martinez’s probation include registering as a sex offender, attending sex offender treatment, abstaining from drugs and alcohol, and having restrictions placed on his internet usage and movement near places where children congregate, Murray said.
After Martinez’s initial arrest, Tim Walsworth, director of the Durango Business Improvement District, sent out an email warning downtown businesses about Martinez’s behavior.
“I feel sad for the guy, but I'm more worried for downtown employees and people who are nice enough to come downtown to do business,” Walsworth said after learning of Martinez’s arrest. “We want them to be safe, and that guy needs some help, and I'm hoping he's going to get it.”
nmetcalf@durangoherald.com
