July 24, 2008

Lewd conduct prompts arrest at Almaden Library

By Carol Rosen
Editor

On Thursday, July 17, a man was arrested for “engaging in lewd conduct in public” at the Almaden Branch Library on Camden Avenue.

Raymond Charles Jorgenson, age 58, was arrested at 2:30 p.m. at the library for two separate incidents; the first for touching himself inappropriately in front of a female and the second for masturbating inside his clothes in front of a female.

He was booked into the Santa Clara County jail on the misdemeanor charges. At press time, he had been released from jail with either a short jail stay or a fine. His name was not listed on the Megan’s Law Web site.

The incidents came to the library’s attention when one patron reported it to a staff member who reported it to the manager who then called police. The police were en route when the second incident was reported. According to the manager, police arrived promptly and interviewed the witnesses, who identified Jorgenson. Jorgenson was arrested.

“Libraries are public places, but we have behavioral guidelines. If someone is behaving inappropriately, then we take action,” said Pam Crider, the library manager.

“While such instances are rare, it is important that library patrons report them to staff members as soon as possible so that appropriate action can be taken,” she added.

In addition, Jorgenson has been notified that the library has taken steps to suspend his library privileges.