A “Serial Exposer” case has a local police department warning others about predators, and hoping laws will be enhanced.
Nathaniel Dixon, 30, pleads no contest to misdemeanor indecent exposure in Sarpy County Court last week. He was masturbating in front of a woman at Papillion’s Sump library in November. Dixon is sentenced to 120 days in jail, but gets out a short time later because of the time he'd already served. Prosecutors say he was identified in 7 other incidents at metro libraries in the last 2 years.
Papillion Police Chief Scott Lyons says people typically don't come forward because they're embarrassed or worried the suspect will come after them. He says that usually only happens in stalking cases.
"Throughout my entire law enforcement career for everyone I have actually investigated we've uncovered numerous that have occurred,” Chief Lyons described.
Lyons says women and children are prime victims for these predators and they usually try to find you when you're alone in public, and if it happens to you tell law enforcement right away.
"Which is the number one thing we teach in law enforcement is get away from the situation get to a safe place and give us a call,” Chief Lyons noted.
He would also like to see enhanced penalties for repeat offenders like Dixon, or for him to be required to register as a sex offender. Indecent exposure and lewd acts are not on the list of offenses that require sex offender registration.
State Senator Bob Krist with the Judiciary Committee says enhanced penalties can be looked at by city governments and the state.
"I know there have been people put on the sex offender list for indecent exposure in relieving themselves in a public place so I can't imagine that a prosecutor can't make it an issue with a judge at the local level but again if that is the problem then certainly what you've brought to my attention requires the attention of the judiciary committee to change the law to make sure we have code enforcement and a law in place that can keep people safe,” Sen. Krist explained.
Police say victims are targeted not only at libraries but parking lots, retail stores, or parks.
Dixon has another indecent exposure case pending in Douglas County stemming from an incident while he was out on bond.
