Man arrested in Criss Library for possession of child pornography

A man was arrested last Monday in the university library for allegedly viewing child pornography on one of the library's computers, according to a police report and Campus Security crime log.The man, 32-year-old Charles Illingworth, is a level three registered sex offender and not affiliated with the university, said Paul Kosel, assistant manager of Campus Security.

Kosel said a library staff member notified security and, after confirming with a network administrator that Illingworth's activities were suspicious, contacted the Omaha Police Department shortly before 4 p.m.

"He was leaving as the police were coming in. They stopped him, talked to him, asked him some questions," said Kosel. "They called the child victims unit that deal with that, they came out and said 'Yes, that's what that is,' and they booked him for that."

Illingworth was booked on suspicion of possession of child pornography, said police spokesperson Bill Dropinski. Illingworth was unavailable for comment since at time of press he was still being held in the Douglas County Department of Corrections. His bail was set at $10,000 and he is awaiting a preliminary hearing, which will most likely take place this week, said Dropinski.

"They found a handwritten note with 17 different Web addresses, and they booked the computer tower," said Dropinski.

Executive Memorandum 16, the Board of Regents policy for Responsible Use of University Computers and Information Systems states that, "personal use of any University information system to access, download, print, store, forward, transmit or distribute obscene material," is prohibited.

According to the policy, when "an act of misuse as defined in section 6 above has occurred, then the chief information services officer serving Central Administration or serving the relevant campus may access any account, file or other data controlled by the alleged violator and share such account information, file or other data with those persons authorized to investigate and implement sanctions."

Earlier in the month, on Aug. 8, according to the campus crime log, "Library staff reported two visitors viewing child pornography on library computers. Campus Security responded and issued ban and bar letters to the suspects."

Assistant Manager of Campus Security Paul Kosel said, "One of them basically was of young girls in bathing suits."

He said it was described as child pornography in the log because that is how it was reported to campus security.

"My guess is they've probably had trouble with those guys in the library before. They get regulars," Kosel said.

Also, on Aug. 13, according to the log, "Campus Security responded to the Criss Library regarding a complaint of a visitor, masturbating, hiding and viewing obscene materials. Visitor was issued a ban and bar letter."

Kosel said since the suspect was not looking at anything illegal when security approached him, he was only removed from campus.

"The staff had seen him looking at what would be considered questionable material and then they'd catch him in the restroom, and that [isn't] right," said Kosel.

Kosel said about 30 to 40 ban and bar letters are issued a year on average for many reasons, including disorderly conduct, alcohol and drug offenses.

"If we can get the OPD out here, they'll sign it. Next time you come on campus, we call the police, they come out, and you're arrested. No question," said Kosel. "They'll remove you from campus and give you a ticket for trespassing.

Stephen Shorb, dean of the library, said while he was not in Omaha when Illingworth's arrest took place.

Shorb said he was informed by library staff as soon as Omaha police arrived on scene.

"Students who use the library can be confident that their searches and records of books borrowed, etc. are confidential," Shorb said in an e-mail."In extraordinary circumstances, computer records can be reconstructed.