Famed sex researcher’s son arrested on indecent exposure charge

An indecent exposure arrest is hardly news these days, sad to say. Unless, of course, it features the son of a famed sex researcher.

William H. Masters III was arrested Saturday while allegedly standing nude on the banks of the Pinnebog River in eastern Michigan and making obscene gestures at a pair of female kayakers who happened by, according to the Associated Press.

His arrest was his second this year: The 60-year-old was caught masturbating May 9 in New York City’s Center Park, CBS News reported.

Masters is the son of the late Dr. William H. Masters, better known as the name behind the Masters and Johnson sex research team. Although the team’s research might seem quaint in today’s hyper-sexualized culture, it was groundbreaking at the time, helping people around the globe better understand human sexuality. The researchers’ 1966 book, “Human Sexual Response,” flew off bookstore shelves despite its sometimes dry, clinical language.

The news of Masters’ arrest on charges that could form a chapter in that same book was almost too much for the media to handle Thursday. The story pinged around the Internet — and, indeed, around the globe.

Masters’ weekend arrest was not entirely coincidental.

Those “kayakers” making their way down the river were actually members of the Huron County Sheriff’s Department, and were taking part in a sting operation. Huron County Sheriff Kelly Hanson told the Associated Press that the sting had been staged after a rash of similar incidents inside Port Crescent State Park.

“This has been going on for years,” Hanson told the news service, adding that an investigation is underway to see if Masters is linked to the other cases.

A department representative did not return a phone call seeking comment before this story was posted online.

Masters has been charged with a misdemeanor count of aggravated indecent exposure, and faces up to two years in jail and a $2,000 fine, according to the Associated Press. In the New York case, Masters was ordered to perform two days of community service, CBS News reported.

ALSO:

Girl hands in lost cash, gets Justin Bieber tickets as reward

Countdown to Endeavour: Tickets for final takeoff going for $90

Space station’s toothbrush fix; astronaut breaks spacewalk record

Follow @renelynch