A Raleigh resident seen masturbating as he drove through campus in mid-November was convicted of a class-two misdemeanor, according to Capt. Jon Barnwell of Campus Police.

Campus Police arrested Jose Eduviges Huerta Villano Nov. 14, after an anonymous female student near Bragaw Residence Hall reported his activity.

Barnwell said the victim was walking on the sidewalk in front of Bragaw near Dan Allen Drive when she saw the perpetrator stopped at a stop sign at the intersection of Cates Avenue and Dan Allen.

“She noticed the man was fondling himself as he was driving through campus,” Barnwell said.

The victim noted the suspect’s license plate number and immediately walked to the West Dunn Building to report the incident, according to Barnwell.

“We want to compliment the victim for the quick thinking to getting the tag number [on the perpetrator’s vehicle],” he said.

Campus Police was able to track the suspect using the plate number.

“Police located the suspect at his residence,” Barnwell said. “And he agreed to come back to the station.”

The victim positively identified the perpetrator, and he confessed to the crime.

Villano was charged with indecent exposure, which went on his permanent criminal record, according to Barnwell.

Barnwell said this sort of misdemeanor is reported “from time to time,” but is defintely underreported.

“When criminal activity doesn’t physically affect someone, it sometimes goes unreported,” he said.

According to Barnwell, Campus Police kept in touch with the victim to check on her welfare, but did not suggest any further measures.

“We do look after the victim and verify their well-being before we stop contact,” he said.

Barnwell also stressed that Campus Police works to keep victim’s name confidential “just to encourage that they come forward.”

He said recognizing and reporting these activities is imperative to minimize sex offenses.

“It’s important,” Barnwell said. “If it goes unchecked … it is going to have the potential to get out of hand.”