Charges dropped against ‘pedophile blogger’

updated 8:11 p.m. ET Aug. 21, 2007

LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles prosecutors have dropped charges against a self-described pedophile who was arrested last week at UCLA after he allegedly violated an order that prohibited him from being within 30 feet of children.

Prosecutors opted not to pursue charges against Jack McClellan after they determined the judge who issued the order failed to set a hearing to argue its merits and hadn't given the 45-year-old transient proper notice.

McClellan was released from jail today following a court hearing.

McClellan was arrested August 13th on suspicion of violating the order when he was found near a child care facility at UCLA. He was arrested again — several hours later — this time for trespassing after he did an interview with the TV station on school grounds.

McClellan created waves in Southern California upon arriving earlier this summer from Washington state, where he had lived with his parents.

For years, McClellan maintained a Web site in Washington where he posted photos of children he had taken in public places. He also discussed how he liked to stake out parks, public libraries, fast-food restaurants and other areas where little girls, or “LGs,” congregate.

McClellan’s server took his Web site down over a month ago. He said in an interview a few weeks ago that he wasn’t sure whether he would try to put it back up.

McClellan, who said he lives on supplemental security income and suffers from depression, has maintained that he launched the site as a form of therapy and wouldn’t do anything illegal.

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