A judge has ruled that prosecutors can introduce evidence at trial about a Missouri misdemeanor sex-crime conviction of a man accused of exposing himself to students in December outside West Junior High School.

Stephen R. Stout, 47, pleaded guilty in 2006 to misdemeanor sexual misconduct in Clay County, Mo., for exposing himself to students outside a middle school in April 2005.

Douglas County District Judge Michael Malone wrote that the similarities between the circumstances in the two cases could “establish a logical connection to prove motive, plan and preparation, lack of mistake or accident and intent of the defendant as it relates to those pending charges.”

The judge also said jurors could be instructed on limitations for considering the past conviction.

Prosecutors also accuse Stout of trying to lure a 13-year-old girl into his car at West that day after school. Detectives later found a loaded gun in his car after a short pursuit. No students ever got into the car.

The trial is scheduled to begin May 27.