A Springfield Township man was arraigned in 52-2 District Court on two counts of aggravated indecent exposure by a sexually delinquent person after he was allegedly seen exposing and fondling himself inside Independence Township Library last week.
Andrew John Hamilton, 23, was confronted by a male library staff member on May 20 after two 14-year-old female patrons reported seeing the man walk by with his private parts exposed.
Hamilton reportedly left the library in a silver, four-door vehicle before he could be identified, but was seen utilizing a bottle of hand lotion in the library May 24.
The man again left the library, but was quickly apprehended by police who identified the suspect by a description given by library personnel.
‘We retrieved video from both dates from the library’s video security system,? said Sgt. Matt Baldes of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Independence Township Substation. ‘It shows him lurking in the library and (using the lotion on himself).?
According to Baldes, library staff informed police they had independently searched security tapes and found the man had been in the facility at least three other times recently.
‘He was seen displaying the same behavior,? Baldes said, noting the video showed the man at times with his pants unbuttoned, or removing something, possibly lotion, out of his pocket. ‘His behavior is that of a sexually delinquent person.?
In December 2006, Hamilton was arraigned on a disorderly person charge out of 52-3 District Court when he was found engaging in the same behavior while viewing pornography on a computer at the Oxford Township Library.
Hamilton was charged with two counts of aggravated indecent exposure, but because of the repetitive nature of the incidents, said Baldes, each count was enhanced to read ‘by a sexually delinquent person.?
‘The Oxford case as well as him going back to our library led to those charges,? Baldes said, noting the enhancement classifies the crime as a capital offense life felony with a sentence range of one day to life in prison. ‘It shows a pattern of behavior.?
Hamilton was held at Oakland County Jail on $20,000 bond, no 10 percent, but was released after posting bond last week. Bond requirements stipulate Hamilton wear a GPS tether and not go near any library.
Additional court dates had not been set at press time.