RACINE - Library patrons reported Roger Clawson to security in June 2007, after they said they had seen him looking at child pornography on a computer there.

When police caught up with him, he appeared to be trying to delete images from his cell phone. They confiscated it and a floppy disk he had been using at the computer, obtained search warrants, and looked at the images.

The images on the disk were of adults, though they appeared to be underage. At least one image on Clawson's phone was of children. That image formed the basis of the sole count of possession of child pornography of which Clawson was

convicted.

On Friday, Clawson appeared in court to receive a prison sentence. Judge Charles Constantine sentenced him to 2½ years in prison and 5½ years on extended supervision, with credit for the 448 days he has served in jail.

District Attorney Michael Nieskes, who described the situation that led to Clawson's arrest, said he needed to be sentenced to prison, citing a poor record when Clawson was on probation several years ago, after he was convicted in an Internet sex sting.

"Mr. Clawson has been given four opportunities to demonstrate if he's supervised he will not engage in behaviors that make him a danger to the community," Nieskes said.

With those opportunties, Nieskes said, Clawson failed repeatedly, and served time in prison.

Defense attorney Robert Peterson said his client has previously undiagnosed and untreated mental health issues that would be best addressed with a non-prison sentence. "There is no treatment for him within the prison system," Peterson said. "If you're looking at prison as a way of punishing but also treatment, his needs could be equally met in a private setting with proper medication and proper treatment."

Clawson addressed the court, apologizing for his actions, and saying he takes responsibility for them. "I was, until a few short years ago, a happily married man with children and a job," he said. "I feel I've reached bottom. I don't know there's much else I could lose."

He said he hopes that he can return to his home state of Indiana and reunite with his family. Constantine said Clawson seemed remorseful and that it appeared he did want to get better.