Sex Offender Caught After Using Library Computer

Staff -- Library Journal, 2/12/1999

A convicted child sex offender who used computers at the Los Angeles Public Library to collect and distribute child pornography was arrested February 10 after planning what he thought would be a sexual liaison with six youngsters, the Los Angeles Times reported Feburary 12 . Jack Hornbeck, 45, of Los Angeles, was arrested by undercover detectives after a two-month sting operation. Police told the newspaper that Hornbeck "signed up to use each computer on each floor," mainting a web site and communicating with members of a sex club he founded. Library spokesman Peter Persic said, "Our library staff was not involved in the undercover operation, and we did not receive any complaints from patrons who may have witnessed this person doing this."