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News

Man arrested at UH library

M.D. Anderson Library visitor faces charges of possession 
of child pornography

by GUILHERME CUNHA
The Daily Cougar

A man was arrested Friday on suspicion of viewing child pornography on a computer at the M.D. Anderson Library, the UH Police Department said.

Mayer Savits, 71, was charged with possession of child pornography. A student witnessed Savits engaged in suspicious behavior and alerted library staff. UHPD took him into custody at the library. 

"We encourage anybody at the library, if you see something you disagree with, talk to the library staff ," UHPD chief Malcolm Davis said. "Don't be afraid to report things."

Savits is being held on $10,000 bond, and the case has been handed over to the FBI. UHPD is no longer involved with the investigation, Davis said, but will offer assistance if asked. 

"From my point of view, we never had any contact with this guy before," Davis said. "We don't know anything about him."

Savits has no affiliation with the University, Davis said. 

"This is the first case like this that I'm aware of," he said. 

Most of the problems at the library are book thefts and vandalism, Davis said. 

The FBI is investigating Savits' criminal history, Davis said. It will send the computer Savits was using to a forensics lab to determine if he accessed illegal content.

There are too many variables to determine the punishment Savits would receive if he were convicted or struck a plea agreement, Davis said. 

Although the library is open to the public, people can be barred for troublesome behavior, Davis said. He added cameras are in place to ensure patrons' safety. It is unlikely the library can block Web sites pre-emptively, Davis said, but it may restrict sites as needed.

"I'm very confident that when they identify sites that are illegal, they block (them)," he said.

Library officials referred all questions on the case to UH media relations representatives.

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