Aspen stalker charged with jail masturbation

A 22-year-old Oklahoma man who recently pleaded guilty to stalking two teenage girls in downtown Aspen was charged Tuesday with masturbating in a public area of the Pitkin County Jail.

Three fellow inmates reported seeing Stephen Moore masturbating while watching women’s gymnastics by himself in a public room Feb. 14, according to a police report filed in Pitkin County Court. The other inmates were watching a movie at the time in an adjacent public room, the report states.

Moore allegedly tried to shield his actions from the others using a pillow, though the inmates reported seeing his arm moving up and down. A Pitkin County detective reported seeing similar actions when he reviewed video surveillance, though no one said they saw his genitals, the report states.

Moore, who was charged with indecent exposure, was advised of the count Tuesday by Pitkin County Judge Erin Fernandez-Ely, who set a $2,000 cash or surety bond. Moore, however, said he didn’t plan on bonding out of jail because he is waiting to be sentenced on his other case.

Prosecutor Sarah Talbott told the judge that Moore faces between 8 and 16 months in jail if convicted of the crime and would have to register as a sex offender.

Moore, a former go-go dancer, pleaded guilty Feb. 1 to felony stalking, felony child abuse and invasion of privacy for sexual gratification. He faces as many as 14 years in prison when he is sentenced March 21.

In those incidents, which took place Aug. 10, he repeatedly followed a 14-year-old girl and a 15-year-old girl in the downtown area throughout the day. He allegedly took cellphone pictures up their skirts.

The child abuse charge relates to Moore crashing in to a 9-year-old boy while running from police and causing serious bodily injuries to him.

It was unclear Tuesday if the new charge will affect Moore’s sentencing next month.

jauslander@aspentimes.com