Sex Offender With 166 Arrests Receives a Life Sentence

A 41-year-old sex offender in Oregon with a staggering arrest record just learned he won't be getting out of prison. Joshua Nealy of Salem received a sentence of life without parole after he exposed himself to a woman at a mall in Washington County, reports the Oregonian. Under state law, repeat sex offenders can receive a life term upon their third conviction, notes KGW8. Nealy was previously convicted of attempted rape in 2007 and public indecency in 2018, and prosecutors say he has been arrested 166 times over the last 20 years. He also previously pleaded guilty to failing to register as a sex offender.

In the latest incident, prosecutors said Nealy undressed in a clothing store fitting room, exposed himself to a female employee, asked if she wanted sex, then flashed a store security officer before leaving with stolen sunglasses. His attorneys argued a life sentence was excessive and said his conduct in past and recent cases suggested mental health and substance-use issues, citing reports that he was using "crank" and behaving irrationally. Judge Theodore Sims imposed the life term. Nealy has at least seven felony convictions, along with nearly 50 misdemeanor convictions.