Tip leads to arrest of Richland sex offender for lewd act in library

A sex offender’s ex-wife tipped off police after he was caught committing a lewd act in a Kennewick library.

Jess Messenger, 50, of Richland, was caught on camera going into the Keewaydin Park branch of Mid-Columbia Libraries on March 4.

He allegedly sat in a chair, with people around, put a backpack on another chair to block the view of his groin, pulled out his phone and began to masturbate.

Police posted a picture of Messenger from the video to the department’s Facebook page in hopes of identifying him.

His ex-wife called police about the photo after her niece pointed it out.

Messenger had a 2003 Colorado conviction for having non-consensual sexual contact. Court documents show that he was initially charged with second-degree child molestation.

The crime required him to register as a sex offender. One of his restrictions was to stay away from public libraries and other places where children might gather, court documents said.

When police approached Messenger at his Richland home, he allegedly confirmed it was him on the camera, court documents said.

When the officer played the video for him, Messenger “appeared embarrassed, turning his head away and began to cry,” court documents said. He allegedly committed the act to “satisfy an urge.”

He said he wasn’t aware that he was barred from libraries by his restrictions.

Messenger was arrested and is being held in the Benton County jail in lieu of $25,000 bail. He had been charged with second-degree burglary and criminal trespass against children.