Tri-State serial flasher indicted, seventh indecent exposure charge

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WEST CHESTER TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WXIX) – A Tri-State man is facing new felony charges after police said he exposed himself near a child and three women inside a West Chester bookstore.

Gerald Fornshell, 59, is facing four felony counts of public indecency.

A grand jury indicted him Monday, and a judge set his bond at $100,000.

“A lot of indecent exposures like urinating in public are misdemeanors, but they can move up the ladder towards felonies, and apparently that’s what happened in this case,” FOX19 NOW legal analyst Mark Krumbein said.

The latest incident happened Sept. 12 in West Chester.

Court records said Fornshell was masturbating near a juvenile boy and three women inside the Barnes & Noble on Civic Centre Boulevard.

This is at least the seventh time Fornshell has been arrested for publicly exposing himself.

In 2023, he was arrested for exposing himself to someone inside a Springdale PetSmart.

In 2015, he exposed himself to two teenage girls at a Springdale Big Lots.

In 2010, he was sentenced to two years in prison after masturbating while driving next to a woman.

“If he is convicted, he would have to register as a sex offender,” Krumbein said.

Krumbein said the level of charges depends on how many times someone has been convicted and whether there are aggravated circumstances.

“For instance, if a person is masturbating in public, if there are minors who can see what’s happening,” he said.

In this case, a child and three women witnessed the lewd act, prompting the four felony charges.

Fornshell could face 12 months in prison on each charge.

If convicted, Fornshell would be required to register as a sex offender.

His arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 27.

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