Columbia man charged with sexual misconduct after incidents at businesses

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia police arrested a man on Monday wanted on suspicion of sexual misconduct.

According to a press release, police arrested Michael Shields, 45, of Columbia, in connection with two incidents. Police said the first happened Dec. 11 in the 3600 block of Rangeline Street, and the second happened on Friday in the 1900 block of North Providence Road.

Investigators said in both cases Shields followed women around a store while masturbating.

Prosecutors charged Shields Monday with first-degree sexual misconduct, a misdemeanor, in connection with the incident last week.

According to the probable cause statement, Shields was identified in a video taken inside the store. Documents also stated that several officers who knew of Shields were able to identify him.

Investigators wrote in the probable cause statement that "Shields is a sexual menace to the community and is a repeat sexual offender."

Prosecutors also charged Shields with first-degree sexual misconduct on Feb. 10 for the December incident.

According to the probable cause statement in that case, the victim told police that the incident caused her to have a panic attack.

Online court records show Shields was also charged with first-degree sexual misconduct in January 2024 after he allegedly started masturbating while talking to the victim at Indian Hills Park in April 2023.

According to jail records, Shields is being held in the Boone County Jail without bond.