Michael E. Karstens, 39, of Beach Park.

A registered sex offender was arrested after he allegedly masturbated in public while watching a group of juveniles in Beach Park, police said.

Michael E. Karstens, 39, of the 38400 block of North Sheridan Road in Beach Park, was charged with public indecency and disorderly conduct.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded around 1:45 p.m. June 23 to a mobile home park in 38400 block of North Sheridan Road in Beach Park for multiple 911 calls of public indecency.

Lake County Sheriff Spokesman Sgt. Christopher Covelli said that deputies spoke to several witnesses who observed Karstens standing outside watching a group of juveniles while masturbating.

Karstens ran into his home when confronted by neighbors, who then called police. Sheriff’s deputies located Karstens at his residence and arrested him.

The incident has also been referred to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Sexual Offender Compliance Unit and additional charges are possible.

[Suggested Article]  Coroner identifies 19-year-old man found dead after canoe flips over on Silver Lake in Oakwood Hills

Karstens was charged in 2010 by Round Lake Beach police with public indecency, but prosecutors dismissed the charge. Later that same year, Waukegan police charged the man with public indecency and he was found guilty.

Karstens has also been charged on six separate occasions with not reporting a change of address or failing to file an annual report mandated by his sex offender registration.

He remains held in the Lake County jail on a $100,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on July 21.