Missoula Man Charged With Indecent Exposure to a Minor

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On May 2, 2026, a Missoula Police Department Officer responded to a report of an older white male who was exposing his genitalia to children in the area. While en route to the scene, the officer contacted R.N. via phone, and R.N. explained that the male had left the scene in a red van.  

R.N. explained that he observed the male pull his pants down across the street from his residence and defecate in a vacant field. R.N. explained that the male, later identified as 68-year-old Willard Carter Jr., pulled his pants down two more times and “let his d**k hang out.” R.N. explained that Carter Jr. grabbed his penis and “shook it” while looking at kids that were nearby.  

The officer clarified whether it was possible that Carter Jr. was urinating or if Carter Jr. was intentionally shaking his penis at them. R.N. explained that it looked like Carter Jr. was not urinating but intentionally shaking his penis so others would see it. R.N. explained that Carter Jr. “Did it twice to, for basically to flash it at the kids.”  

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R.N. could not tell if Carter Jr.’s penis was erect. A person with R.N., identified as S.M, stated that it “could have been,” but she made everyone “turn around and look the other way.” R.N. explained that the children who witnessed the incident were age 11 (identified as Doe 1), age 13 (identified as Doe 2), and age 14 (identified as Doe 3). 

The officer arrived on scene and spoke with R.N. and the three children. R.N. said Carter Jr. was helping a male jump a broken-down white van. R.N. had previously called 911 because he was concerned the male was living in the van, which was near Willard Alternative High School, and the male was a registered sex offender. R.N. explained that Carter Jr. was able to help the male get the van running and that the male drove off.  

Children’s Testimony: Impact of the Incident

The officer spoke with Doe 2, who said he observed Carter Jr. pull his pants down and observed Carter Jr.’s penis. Doe 2 said it did not look like Carter Jr. was using the restroom. The officer noted that Doe 2 appeared confident when Doe 2 said that Carter Jr.’s penis was erect, and that Carter Jr. was touching his erect penis while looking at all three Does.  

The officer asked Doe 2 why he thought Carter Jr. was acting like this, and Doe 2 said he thinks Carter Jr. is a “child molester” because “he was looking at all of us kids while he was doing it. And I just didn’t really feel comfortable.” Doe 2 observed Carter Jr. place his penis back in his pants and leave in his red vehicle. 

Doe 3 reported that she “kind of glanced over” and believed she saw Carter Jr.’s underwear. She did not see Carter Jr.’s penis but felt scared during the incident. Doe 1 also did not observe Carter Jr.’s penis but did observe his buttocks. Doe 1 and Doe 3 were looking away because they were told to do so by S.M. 

Carter Jr.'s Response: Denial and Contradictions

A short time later, officers located Carter Jr. and conducted a traffic stop. The officer read Carter Jr. a Miranda warning. Carter Jr. said he understood his rights and provided a statement. Carter Jr. admitted to being in the area near R.N.’s residence, and that he was there to help his friend jump his van. Carter Jr. denied taking his penis out while he was outside.  

Carter Jr. was asked if he had urinated or defecated outside. He denied defecating outside and stated that “if” he had urinated, it would have been inside his vehicle with the door shut and inside a cup. Later, Carter Jr. stated that he had “pissed his pants.” The officer asked whether it was the pants Carter Jr. was currently in, which were green cargo shorts. Carter Jr. said it was, and that they were already dry. The officer did not observe any stains. She later seized the green cargo shorts and observed that they did not have an odor consistent with urination.  

READ MORE: Missoula News - Crime Reports

Carter Jr. said that while he was at the scene, he observed adults and that he “probably” saw a few children. The officer placed Carter Jr. under arrest and transported him to the Missoula County Detention Facility. He is currently being charged with felony indecent exposure to a minor. His bond was set at 25,000.  

The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.