Police: Iowa City Man Masturbates in Front of Deli Mart Clerk, She Recognizes Him in McDonald's

A man with an Iowa City address but a lengthy criminal record in southern Iowa counties was arrested on an indecent exposure charge after he allegedly masturbated in front of a female Deli Mart clerk.

According to an Iowa City Police criminal complaint, the incident allegedly happened on Dec. 30 at 4:25 p.m. at the BP/Deli Mart at 206 E. Benton St., as a man later identified as John David Chaponniere, 63, entered the business and exposed himself to the female clerk against her will. Then, a day later as the female clerk was entering a McDonald's near the Sycamore Mall, she reportedly recognized Chaponniere and alerted police.

Chaponniere has been charged with indecent exposure, a serious misdemeanor. After he had been read his Miranda rights, he allegedly admitted to masturbating in front of the clerk.

According to online jail records, Chaponniere is in the Johnson County Jail with a $2,500 bail amount set. He also has a detainer set on him by the Mount Pleasant Police Department. 

Chaponniere has a long criminal record, according to online court records, including misdemeanor charges in Jasper, Henry, Washington, and Lee counties. The most serious charges included felonies for burglary and assault on a police officer in Lee County in early 2009. Charges he pleaded guilty for, according to records.