BAY CITY, MI -- A Wisconsin sex offender accused of flashing two girls at a Bay County Walmart has been offered a plea deal.

Prosecutors have offered to not bring any additional charges against 41-year-old Joel A. Zahnow if he pleads guilty or no contest to the lone count he already faces, that being aggravated indecent exposure. The offer states Zahnow would also be subject to a third offense sentencing enhancement, as well as consecutive sentencing with crimes for which he is on probation.

Aggravated indecent exposure involves fondling one's genitals, whereas standard indecent exposure is merely displaying genitals, Michigan law states. The former is a high-court misdemeanor punishable by up to two years incarceration and a $2,000 fine, while the latter is a one-year misdemeanor.

Zahnow on Wednesday, July 20, appeared before Bay County District Judge Timothy J. Kelly for a scheduled preliminary examination. Rather than proceed with that, though, Zahnow waived his right to the hearing, as defense attorney Bruce K. Mannikko said his client is considering accepting the plea deal.

Mannikko also requested his client receive a Cobbs hearing. In such a hearing, a judge outlines the likely sentence should a defendant be convicted.

Judge Kelly bound Zahnow's case over to Circuit Court for further proceedings.

Zahnow's alleged offense occurred about 4:25 p.m. Thursday, June 30, in the Walmart at 3921 E. Wilder Road in Bangor Township. At the arraignment, Bay County Assistant Prosecutor Bernard J. Coppolino said Zahnow followed and spoke with two 7-year-old girls before flashing them.

Bay County Undersheriff Troy Cunningham previously said the girls were in the toy aisle while their mother was in an adjacent aisle. The girls told their mother what had occurred, and the mother told store security, who were unable to immediately locate the man.

Investigating police had an idea Zahnow was the culprit by the following morning, Cunningham previously said. Deputies located and arrested Zahnow later that day.

Records indicate Zahnow in October 2007 was sentenced to 10 years of probation in Wisconsin's Ozaukee County after being convicted of two counts of possessing child pornography. The charge is a 25-year felony in Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Department of Corrections' website indicates Zahnow must register as a sex offender until Oct. 3, 2032. The site also states Zahnow is compliant in his registration, having last registered his Bay City address on May 2.

As a sex offender, Zahnow was already prohibited from having contact with any child besides his own.

At his arraignment, Zahnow told Judge Kelly he has been employed in Bangor Township for five or six years.

Zahnow is being held in the Bay County Jail on a $100,000 cash-surety bond. His next court date is pending.