ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The Asheville Police Department has arrested Michael Matthew Murphy Jr., 44, as a suspect in a series of indecent exposure incidents in downtown Asheville. According to court records, Murphy has previous convictions for indecent exposure dating back to 2016.
According to an APD press release, officers responded to multiple reports of indecent exposure on Wednesday, May 27 regarding “a bald white male driving a white Subaru who was reportedly following women, exposing himself and engaging in lewd behavior.”
Through social media and investigation, detectives identified “at least five victims” across “several downtown locations,” all of whom described the same suspect.
Through surveillance footage and canvassing, APD detectives identified the suspect as Murphy, who was charged with five counts of indecent exposure and arrested around 1:50 p.m., Wednesday, June 3 on South Tunnel Road.
Murphy was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility under a $1,500 secured bond issued by a magistrate.
According to APD, this case remains an active investigation.
“Detectives believe there may be additional victims and encourage anyone with information or who may have had a similar encounter to contact the Asheville Police Department at (828) 252-1110,” APD said.
Murphy has previous guilty convictions for indecent exposure in rulings from 2016 and 2023.
The Asheville Police Department works in partnership with the Buncombe County Family Justice Center to support victims of sexual offenses. The Buncombe County Family Justice Center can be contacted at (828) 250-6900.