Aug 1, 2007 2:03 pm US/Pacific
Pedophile Upset Calif. Police Pictured Him Online
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (CBS) ―
A self-proclaimed pedophile best known for posting pictures on a Web site that advised other pedophiles on how to meet young girls is now upset that the Santa Monica Police Department has posted his picture on their Web site.
Jack McClellan, who admits to going to public events to take pictures of young girls, says he is now in fear for his life since a flyer has circulated bearing his picture, car description and license number, reports station KCAL-TV in Los Angeles.
The circulation of the flyer is an unusual step, since McClellan is not wanted for any crime. The flyer is careful to simply warn parents of McClellan's proclivities and his presence.
At least one mother is conflicted about the move. Sharon Hart is glad to know about a potential predator, but is not sure whether the Santa Monica Police Department's move was correct.
"He says he's a pedophile, but he's never done anything -- he just says he's attracted to children, but he's never actually molested a child," Hart said. "So is it a violation of his rights? Yeah."
McClellan is threatening to sue the Santa Monica Police Department.
In an interview with a KCAL-TV reporter in June, McClellan said he was on the run from parents in another state.
"It isn't really just a sexual thing, its really the whole ambiance of about being around children that I enjoy," McClellan says.
He is not afraid to tell people how he feels about little girls. If asked point blank whether he is a pedophile, he says yes.
McClellan claims he has received death threats because he took pictures of little girls in the Seattle area and posted them on his Web site, Little Girl Love.
Before he left Washington state, the site was shut down. Having moved down south - in his car in Venice Beach - McClellan has brought the site back with a Southern California focus.
"This sick individual disturbs me greatly, as a mother, grandmother, and a legislator," said California assemblywoman Sharon Runner in a statement. "Families should be allowed to safely enjoy parks and other community activities without perverts gawking at their children and rating them on the Internet.
"Our government has a responsibility to protect California's children. Even if this man claims he has not violated the law, he has placed a target on the backs of these children and left them vulnerable to the countless child-rapists lurking on the Internet."
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