A 59-year-old Bloomfield Township man faces a criminal charge after police say he was caught masturbating in his vehicle outside the Target store on South Telegraph Road.

James Brian Walsh was arrested on the evening of July 25, after Bloomfield Township Police officers responded to the Target at 2400 S. Telegraph Rd. at approximately 7 p.m., according to a department account reported by The Oakland Press. A witness had called to report a man sexually pleasuring himself while seated in his vehicle in the parking lot.

Officers located Walsh and found a container of lotion inside the car. Lotion was also visible on Walsh's hands and the vehicle's steering wheel, police said. Officers determined Walsh had been viewing pornography on his cell phone.

Based on the investigation and witness statements, Walsh was arrested for indecent exposure and transported to the Bloomfield Township police station, according to department officials.

Charge and arraignment

The Oakland County Prosecutor's Office authorized a charge of aggravated indecent exposure against Walsh on July 26, according to The Oakland Press.

Under Michigan law, aggravated indecent exposure is a misdemeanor punishable by up to two years in prison, a fine of up to $2,000, or both. The charge applies when a person fondles themselves while committing indecent exposure.

Following his arraignment, Walsh was released on a $1,000 personal recognizance bond.

What's next

Walsh is scheduled for a probable cause conference on Aug. 6 in 48th District Court. A preliminary examination is set for Aug. 13.

Anyone with information related to this incident can contact the Bloomfield Township Police Department. The department's public information officer is Officer Heather Glowacz, who can be reached at 248-433-7724.