GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A man allegedly caught masturbating in front of a student in a Grand Rapids Community College music room is facing up to life in prison if convicted as a sexually delinquent offender.

Joseph Bryant, 49, has been charged with indecent exposure by a sexually delinquent person, aggravated indecent exposure and being a fourth-time habitual offender, according to court records.

Bryant appeared in Grand Rapids District Court earlier this month and was ordered to stand trial in Kent County Circuit Court.

The charges stem from an April 19 incident where Bryant allegedly approached a student in the college’s music building and asked if he could listen to her as she practiced playing the piano, court records show.

After agreeing, the student says she spotted Bryant masturbating, seeing his reflection on her piano, according to court records.

The student quickly left the room, but said she saw Bryant follow her. She told campus police she then hid in a computer lab until he left.

Campus police were alerted and eventually found Bryant walking outside GRCC’s Applied Technology Center.

The student “stated she was more worried about Bryant blocking her from leaving the room. She admitted to me that she thought about screaming. However, she didn’t,” according to a report filed by GRCC police officer Tom Stasiak.

State records show Bryant has been sentenced for crimes including assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, possession of less than 25 grams of a narcotic and assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct. His crimes stretch back to 1990, according to court records.

According to GRCC police, three other women in the music building spotted Bryant on April 19, and said they had seen him wandering in the music building “multiple times.”

When questioned by GRCC campus police, Bryant identified himself as being homeless and said he was on campus because he was interested in enrolling in classes, according to the campus police report. He denied masturbating in front of the student.

In a statement, GRCC said such incidents are rare.

“This particular incident illustrates the need for better training for students, faculty and staff about the need to be aware of our surroundings and equally important not to be afraid to report suspicious activities or individuals,” the college said.

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