Police: Man admits to pleasuring himself in front of two teens, woman
A Columbus man has been accused of pleasuring himself in bushes on Lafayette Drive Monday morning while in the presence of three individuals, including a 14-year-old girl.
Craig Moore, 24, of pleaded not guilty today in Columbus Recorder’s Court to child molestation and public indecency. Judge Michael Cielinski ordered him held in the Muscogee County Jail under bonds totaling $52,500.
The case was bound the case over to Superior Court.
Shirtless with his pants down at his ankles, Moore pleasured himself in front of a woman and her 14 and 15-year-old daughters between 9 and 9:56 a.m., according to police.
Columbus Police Officer Emmanuel Rosado, who responded to the scene minutes after the reported incident, told the court that Moore admitted to the crime following his arrest.
The defendant said he went outside in his shorts and shoes, got aroused and decided to “touch himself,” the officer testified.
“I saw one pretty girl and two decent girls,” Rosado said, quoting Moore’s statement to police. “I stood there admiring the pretty girl, unaware to the fact they could see me. I thought a bush was blocking their view.”
Sarah Robinson: 706-571-8622, @sarahR_92
This story was originally published June 7, 2016 at 12:19 PM with the headline "Police: Man admits to pleasuring himself in front of two teens, woman."