Posted May 5, 2003

Kentucky Library Director Suspended after Child Porn Arrest

The director of the Whitley County Public Library in Williamsburg, Kentucky, was placed on unpaid administrative suspension following his arrest on a charge that he attempted to buy child pornography using a library computer. Jack Wasano was arrested April 21 as the result of a two-month undercover investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspector's Office, according to the April 30 Corbin News Journal.

Frank Atkins, an attorney representing the library board, said that Wasano hadn't been fired but will remain on suspension until the case is resolved.

Postal inspectors had been investigating the clients of an individual arrested in New York who advertised videotapes showing minors engaged in sexual activity. They noted an inquiring e-mail allegedly sent by Wasano on January 28, followed by an order for child porn March 15. After issuing a grand jury subpoena, officials learned April 9 that the e-mails originated from the library.

The case is awaiting a hearing in the U.S. District Court in London, Kentucky. Wasano declined to comment on the situation to American Libraries.

Posted May 5, 2003.