URL: http://www.gazettextra.com/20150901/man_accused_of_lewdness_in_drive_through_could_avoid_prison

Man accused of lewdness in drive-through could avoid prison

JANESVILLE—A Mineral Point man accused of repeatedly exposing his genitals to workers in a Newville drive-in last fall and winter will avoid prison if he is successful in the Rock County Veterans Court program.

Derik M. Cree, 28, pleaded guilty last week to two felony counts of exposing his private parts to a child. He pleaded no contest to four misdemeanor counts of lewd and lascivious behavior.

Cree faced a maximum prison sentence of 10 years if convicted on all counts.

The pleas are a required part of the veterans court process.

If he completes veterans court, he will be sentenced to two years probation on two of the lewd/lascivious counts, while the other charges will be dismissed and read into the court record, according to his veterans court contract.

Veterans court diverts military veterans from the normal criminal justice system and gets them help for issues such as traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder.

They also are tested randomly for drug use.

Participants receive treatment at Department of Veterans Affairs facilities. They are required to adhere to a long list of requirements, including staying sober, showing up for all appointments and court sessions, not possessing firearms and not committing any crime.

Cree told investigators “I don't know why I do it,” when asked about the incidents at the McDonald's Restaurant drive-through, according to the criminal complaint.

Some of Cree's victims were females aged 17 and 18, according to the complaint.

Cree told deputies he exposed himself on multiple occasions in 2014 after “drill” with the National Guard in Beloit, according to the complaint.