Judge OKs, Adds to Pedophile Injunction
Two Santa Clarita lawyers who sought an injunction to protect their daughters and other local children from associating with a self-admitted pedophile got everything they sought from a California judge today—and more.
They had asked for a temporary restraining order to prevent Jack McClellan, a 45-year-old who admittedly is sexually attracted to children but apparently has committed no crime, from spending time in areas in Santa Clarita where children are likely to congregate. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Melvin Sandvig went much further, barring McClellan from being within 10 yards of a child within the entire state of California, reports the Los Angeles Times.
The two lawyers contend that McClellan, who reportedly lives in his car, presents a clear and present danger to children. “What we are seeking to restrain is not speech. It is conduct,” said Anthony Zinnanti, who filed the request for an injunction with fellow attorney Richard Patterson.
“The order Sandvig granted prevents McClellan from coming within 10 yards of a minor child, and it says that he may not harass, threaten, follow or loiter around any minor child,” reports the Times. “He also may not photograph, videotape or post on the Internet images of a minor child without parental consent.”
McClellan was neither at today’s hearing nor represented by counsel. However, he will have an opportunity to challenge the order and present evidence at an undetermined future date. Further details are provided in an earlier ABAJournal.com post.
