A 69-year-old Maricopa man has pleaded guilty to indecent exposure and attempted sexual exploitation of a minor following a Halloween incident in 2023 that led to a broader investigation uncovering illicit materials, according to court documents.

Jay Lee Hearshman answered his Rancho El Dorado door fully nude to at least three trick-or-treaters on Halloween night 2023. It prompted multiple complaints to Maricopa police. When officers arrived, with body cameras recording, Hearshman was still naked. Police officers tackled and arrested Hearshman, according to court records. He told police and later Judge Jason Holmberg that he had been heavily intoxicated after drinking two bottles of wine.

Following his arrest, local police and Homeland Security Investigations executed search warrants at his home, seizing 11 electronic devices. Authorities allege child pornography was found, including material last accessed in 2015. This led to a second prosecution, to which Hearshman also pleaded guilty.

Hearshman entered a plea agreement March 17 on one count of felony indecent exposure. Prosecutors dropped the original higher-level charge after determining it was “filed in error,” although it’s unclear what that error was. Hearshman left the courtroom yesterday to serve two weeks in the Pinal County jail and is also required to register as a sex offender and will serve lifetime supervised probation. The Pinal County Adult Probation Department supported the plea, recommending no further incarceration.

Hearshman’s defense cited his age, lack of prior criminal history, voluntary acceptance of guilt and struggles with alcohol addiction as mitigating factors. His attorney, a public defender, noted that Hearshman’s actions were non-violent, that he cooperated with investigators and that he deeply regrets his behavior. 

“This is the dumbest thing I’ve ever done,” said Hearshman to the judge. “I promise you nothing like this will ever happen again.”