Tustin boy sexually attacked in library; suspect arrested

A 23-year-old Anaheim man with a juvenile history of sex offenses was arrested Friday afternoon after a 13-year-old boy reported being sodomized in the men's bathroom of the Orange County Public Library in Tustin, police said.

The boy fled the library to a police station across the street and reported the attack, said Lt. Pat Welch of the Tustin Police Department. He was taken to a hospital for treatment and was home with his family later in the evening, Welch said.

The suspect, Robert Howard Claudio, also contacted police after the 3:30 p.m. incident, Welch said.

"He identified himself as a registered sex offender, stating something had just occurred inside the library and he may have been involved," Welch said.

Police released a picture of Claudio and asked anyone with information about him to contact Investigator Pam Hardacre at (714) 573-3248. He was in police custody Friday night.

-- Carol J. Williams

ALSO:

Father arrested after hiding pit bull that bit daughter, 3

Death row prisoner says 'Speed Freak Killers' slew more than 70

Sexual misconduct by teacher alleged at Compton middle school

-- Carol J. Williams

Photo: Suspect Robert Howard Claudio. Credit: Tustin Police Department