Douglas F. Dingeman - Repeat Sex Offender Can't keep it in his pants

A repeat sex offender from Hartford has again been charged with indecent exposure after allegedly showing his genitals to an area teenager last month.

Douglas F. Dingeman, 47, remains in the Warren County Jail on a $1,000 cash-only bond. He was also charged with trespassing and harassment, both simple misdemeanors, for the Sept. 25 incident. His indecent exposure charge is a serious misdemeanor and is subject to a sentencing enhancement due to his prior convictions.

Court records show that Dingeman allegedly exposed his genitals to an 18-year-old female clerk at the Git-N-Go in Hartford. The victim said Dingeman masturbated himself while knocking on the glass door to gain her attention. She told authorities she was fearful Dingeman would come into the store and assault her.

A judge issued an order of protection Oct. 2 for the clerk and the store from Dingeman. Dingeman pleaded not guilty and waived his right to a speedy trial. A pre-trial hearing has been set for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4.

In May 2005, a group of 11-year-old female students at Hartford Elementary School reported to their counselor that Dingeman exposed himself to them. Dingeman admitted to authorities that he had watched pornography in his garage without pants or underwear, but that he didn’t remember exposing himself to the children because of an “alcohol problem.”

As part of a plea agreement, Dingeman pleaded guilty and was put on the Iowa Sex Offender Registry. He was given a 30-day suspended jail sentence, a $250 fine and one year of probation. Dingeman also has an indecent exposure from January 1987 in Polk County.

"25% of all sex offenders re-offend within 15 years"

.........Sarah Tofte