Springfield sex offender in mini skirt who left soiled diapers at playground pleads guilty

A Springfield sex offender will be sentenced to 10 years in prison without parole under the terms of a plea agreement after pleading guilty Wednesday to possessing child obscenity.

The guilty plea comes more than three years after authorities identified Rusty Mann, 35, as the person leaving soiled diapers and cut-up girl's clothing at a north Springfield child care facility.

According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Western Missouri, a Springfield police detective observed Mann approach a playground on a bicycle on the night of Oct. 21, 2011. The detective made contact with Mann just outside the fenced area of the playground.

Mann was attired in a black mini skirt and women's knee-high boots, according to the release. He was identified as the person who had been leaving soiled diapers and clothing on the playground — at least six times that month, according to documents filed in support of a search warrant in 2011.

As a registered sex offender, Mann was not permitted within 1,000 feet of school property under state law, according to the Wednesday release, and he was placed under arrest after the detective made contact with him. Mann has prior convictions for child molestation and sexual misconduct involving a child.

Mann's bicycle, backpack and fanny pack were collected from the scene, according to the release. A search of the backpack yielded a cell phone that was later searched; investigators found several images of suspected child pornography and obscene cartoon depictions of minors, including a cartoon image of a prepubescent female being sexually assaulted, authorities said.

Mann was later interviewed at the jail, where police say he initially said he didn't know why he left diapers and cut-up clothing at the playground.

Later, according to the 2011 search warrant documents, he offered an explanation: "In all honesty, I'm thinking three things here. One is sexual frustration, two convenience, and three, the blackouts." No further explanation of Mann's statements were included in the documents.

Under the terms of Thursday's plea agreement, Mann's 10-year sentence will be followed by a life term of supervised release. Upon release from federal incarceration, Mann will be committed to the custody of the Missouri Department of Mental Health for control, care and treatment as a sexually violent predator.