A Springfield man with 10 prior convictions for sexual misconduct was caught masturbating while following women around two department stores earlier this month.

Bobby Green, 47, was charged with two counts of sexual misconduct on Monday and pleaded guilty on Tuesday. He was sentenced to two years in the Greene County Jail, the maximum sentence allowed by Missouri law.

A bond recommendation document prepared by prosecutors says Green had 10 prior convictions for sexual misconduct dating back to 2005.

The document says most of those cases follow the same modus operandi — Green follows women around in department stores while masturbating.

A similar document filed earlier this month by prosecutors says Green "has had multiple opportunities to receive treatment, but has willfully failed to get that treatment or follow that treatment regimen."

Assistant Greene County Prosecutor Stephanie Wan said cases like this are no laughing matter.

"We look at it as a sexual violation," Wan said. "It's unconsenting, so we take it seriously."

Wan said in some cases, masturbating in public can be a gateway crime to more serious sexual offenses.

A probable cause statement describes what police say Green did during the most recent incident.

The statement says security personnel caught Green masturbating while following a woman inside the Walmart on South Campbell Avenue at about 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 8.

After being seen by security, the statement says, Green ran out of the Walmart and over to a nearby Gordman's store where he did the same thing.

Court documents say Green is a registered sex offender and was on parole at the time of these incidents.

Green is being held in the Greene County Jail. He waived his right to an attorney in this case.