Proud pedophile spotted at Santa Monica’s Main Library
PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY Police are asking residents to keep a close eye on their kids after a mother spotted a known pedophile advocate walking through the children’s section of the Main Library on Thursday.
In an information bulletin released this week, officers are asking that parents contact the police department if they see Jack J. McClellan in the area of children.
While McClellan is not a registered sex offender and is not wanted in connection with any crime, he has admitted to operating a Web site that caters to pedophiles, police said.
“We are not aware of other law enforcement agencies putting out bulletins, but the chief felt it was important that our community be aware of (McClellan’s) presence,” said SMPD Lt. Alex Padilla.
Both national and local news accounts have reported that McClellan traveled across the state of Washington to photograph young girls in public settings. McClellan admits to being a pedophile who is sexually attracted to young girls, police said.
On July 23, a Santa Clarita Valley newspaper — The Signal — reported that McClellan visited the area last month in search of little girls. Staff Writer Jim Holt referenced McClellan’s own Internet postings, in which the suspected pedophile admits to visiting the Santa Clarita Lanes bowling alley to prowl for youngsters.
After leaving the bowling alley, McClellan crossed the street to Saugus Speedway, where families were roaming the grounds at the San Fernando Valley Fair, Holt wrote.
“With children darting from ride to ride, eating cotton candy, petting zebras and playing games of chance, McClellan strolled the grounds anonymously,” Holt wrote. “Most likely, parents would not have recognized the man in his characteristic black wide-brim hat.”
In the article, a sheriff’s deputy said that if parents see McClellan following their child, or if he’s seen in the area of children with camera equipment, they should file a child annoyance complaint with law enforcement. It would only be a misdemeanor, the deputy said, but “at least it’s something.”
Internet blogs about McClellan dating back to June 2, 2007, claim he created a Web site called “Los Angeles Girl Love” and was planning to hit as many family events as possible in the Los Angeles area.
FOX News published a story about McClellan in March 2007 in which they described his Web site in Washington as a “how-to-guide to pedophilia,” featuring listings of events where pedophiles could find large groups of young girls. That site — “Seattle, Tacoma, Everett Girl Love” — has since been shut down, according to the report.
McClellan could not be reached for comment, but in an interview with CBS 2 news reporter Stacey Butler that aired in June, McClellan admitted he was a pedophile, but stated that his actions have nothing to do with sex.
“It isn’t really just a sexual thing, it’s really the whole ambiance of being around children that I enjoy,” McClellan told CBS.
To protect their children, parents should always be vigilant and keep a watchful eye, according to law enforcement and child advocates. Parents should be actively involved in their children’s lives and always know where their child is going, what they are watching on television and what Web sites they are visiting.
Parents should also teach their children to always travel with a friend, whether it be walking home from school or using a public restroom. For young children, it is recommended that parents teach their children about different parts of the body and which are their own private parts.
“When you are in public, talk to your children about being approached by strangers and about not going anywhere with people they don’t know,” Padilla said. “And always travel in twos.”
Police said McClellan may be driving a blue, 1993 Ford Escort, two door, with the Washington license plate number 915WEX. If anyone spots McClellan in the area of children, they are urged to contact the SMPD at (310) 458-8451 or (310) 458-8427.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 28, 2007. Read the original PDF.