OCTOBER 16--An Iowa man charged with exposing himself to a woman at a variety store told cops that he “had seen someone do it in a pornographic film” and thought the victim, who was accompanied by her minor son, might “respond to it sexually,” according to a court filing.

Nicholas Sheehy, 23, was arrested Friday afternoon at the Dollar General in Ottumwa, a city about 85 miles southeast of Des Moines. Sheehy, an Ottumwa resident, was charged with indecent exposure, a serious misdemeanor.

When confronted by police, Sheehy “admitted that he ‘whipped it out’ referring to his penis,” a criminal complaint alleges. “The defendant stated that he had seen someone do it in a pornographic film and believed that the female patron may respond to it sexually.”

Instead, the woman contacted cops, who reported that Sheehy “admitted that he exposed himself for sexual gratification.”

Pictured above, Sheehy was booked into the Wapello County jail, from which he was released after posting $1000 bond.

Sheehy, who yesterday made an initial court appearance, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on October 31. (1 page)