A Pickler Memorial Library visitor wearing red sweat pants and an olive-colored jacket was caught viewing pornographic material on a public access computer while apparently pleasuring himself Nov. 13.

The Department of Public Safety escorted a 22-year-old male, who does not attend Truman, out of the library after library staff members received complaints from students at nearby workstations regarding the man pulling up sexually explicit material from the Internet, said Public Safety Sgt. Chad Whittom.

No formal charges were brought against the man, but he was issued a trespass warning. The warning indicates that he could be arrested for trespassing if he is found on University property again without invitation.

"Part of the problem was that we [student workers] didn't exactly know what the policy was in these situations," said senior Tom Useted, a library circulation desk worker. "It was frustrating to keep getting complaints and not know what to do about it."

Library workers alerted Library Director Richard Coughlin of the situation. He explained the University policy on the public display of sexually explicit material to the man.

The man remained in the library for several hours after Coughlin spoke with him. Student workers were instructed to keep him under tight surveillance.

Senior Tracy Fuller noticed the man engaging in suspicious behavior at about 1:30 p.m. Although there was no specific evidence that he was viewing pornography, Fuller said he appeared to be touching himself inappropriately.

"He was leaned up under the computer as far as he could be," Fuller said. "His hand was in his pants, and there were very vigorous movements. He would occasionally stop the movements and look around to see if anyone was watching. Then, he would start again, while typing with his other hand.  He was apparently in a chat room."

Two Public Safety officers spoke with the man about the situation. When they asked him about his affiliation with Truman, he said he was trying to apply to become a student. He also told the officers that library workers had approached him before. Public Safety ultimately escorted the man off the premises based on testimony that he had been viewing pornographic material.

Useted said the episode on Nov. 13 was not the first time this man has caused a disturbance in the library.

"Somebody had noticed him a couple of weeks ago, and certain staff members were on high alert to watch for suspicious behavior," Useted said.

Reference librarian Lisa Glaubitz called Public Safety on the evening of Nov. 11 after several visitors informed library staff members of obscene images appearing on the man's screen. A Public Safety officer arrived at the scene but was not able to take any action against the man without evidence.

Community members do not need a password to log on to the Internet at the stand-up computers near the entrance to the library. One public access sit-down station is available on the north side of the stand-ups to accommodate handicapped individuals. That was the computer the man viewing pornography used Nov. 13.

"I couldn't believe it because people were walking by and sitting at the computer next to him," Fuller said. "He was at the one computer in the library that was the most visible, and he was not subtle at all.  I think he was getting off on getting caught."

The computer he used Nov. 11 is directly opposite the handicap-accessible computer. It is possible that someone forgot to log off before leaving the computer, Useted said.

"I just hope they cleaned the mouse," sophomore Daniel McLaughlin said.

Although the man was not charged, public display of sexually explicit material is against the law. It is a class A misdemeanor unless the person has pleaded guilty to or has been found guilty of the same offense at a different time. It would then be a class D felony, according to the Revised Statutes of the State of Missouri.

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