A 31-year-old Austin man who allegedly walked around Mill Pond naked earlier this month has pleaded not guilty to charges of indecent exposure.

Lashawn Jason Kendrick entered his plea in Mower County Court last Thursday. He has been charged with knowingly violating sex offender registration requirements, which is a felony, as well as indecent exposure.

Kendrick was arrested March 6 when a woman reported him after she saw him naked on the walking path near Mill Pond. Once police arrived, Kendrick fled to the area near the walking bridge over the Cedar River and was wearing clothes.

According to a court complaint, Kendrick said, “I have a problem. I have real bad psoriasis on my legs and they itch. I wasn’t doing anything inappropriate, ma’am.” When police asked why his shirt was on backwards, he said he had put it on that way.

Police then initiated the arrest, and Kendrick apparently began saying he’s had “problems” his whole life and “gets urges” to take off his clothes and walk around in public.

Upon reviewal of his criminal history, officers discovered Kendrick is a registered sex offender in Florida and was previously convicted of indecent exposure. He has not registered with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension or local law enforcement, however.

Kendrick is scheduled for a jury trial on May 16.