| Friday, October 12, 2007 6:45 PM CDT |
Official retires clown persona after other 'Klutzo' is arrested
By Associated Press
ALGONQUIN -- Since the early 1980s, the village clerk of this northwestern Chicago suburb has split his time between official duties and volunteer work as a cheery clown known as “Klutzo.”
But after a central Illinois man with the same moniker was charged with child pornography and child sexual abuse, Jerry Kautz says his Klutzo is no more.
“I’m so distraught. I just can’t believe this is happening,” Kautz said. “I’m going to give it up. Klutzo’s dead. He’s got to be dead. I loved that name, but this is horrible.”
Kautz has performed as Klutzo in parades and at area hospitals and nursing homes. He said he’s received hate mail and calls since the case against Amon Paul Carlock, 57, hit the news.
Carlock, a former minister and police officer who went by the names “Klutzo the Clown” and “Professor Paul the Magician,” is accused of traveling overseas to engage in sexual activities with a minor. A federal search warrant executed Sept. 28 at Carlock’s Springfield home allegedly turned up compact discs containing movies depicting child pornography, authorities said.
Kautz said the mix-up has made him heartsick.
“There is nothing more slimy than for someone to be an entertainer and take advantage of children,” he said. “I hope he gets everything he has coming to him.”
Carlock’s attorney, federal defender Robert Andre Alvarado, did not immediately return a message left after business hours Friday.
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