Sex offender probation for Aurora man who tresspassed at private pool

An Aurora man who has been in custody on trespassing charges after scaring several parents last summer at an area pool has been released from DuPage County jail.

Damien Dickens, 37, of the 4200 block of Windrift Court, recently pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of criminal trespass to land after notice of entry is forbidden. Prosecutors dropped felony charges of trespassing at a public place of amusement and misdemeanor disorderly conduct.

Dickens was sentenced to 180 days in jail, despite already serving 331, and was placed on two years of sex offender probation. During that time he is prohibited from accessing the internet and must consent to random searches of his computer and submit to sex offender counseling.

Prosecutors said Dickens drew the attention of several adults attending a children's swim meet last July at a privately owned recreational club on the 300 block of South Oakhurst Drive in Aurora.

Authorities said parents observed Dickens "leering" at children as they exited the locker rooms. When approached, Dickens lied and said he had a son participating in the 200-meter swim. But there was no such event, and he was asked to leave.

Police said parents and coaches took several pictures of both Dickens and his vehicle as he left the area. Police later arrested him in Montgomery following an investigation.

Dickens has a criminal history in DuPage County, including a 2005 conviction for falsely reporting rapes. He's also been convicted of misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct for exposing himself to minors and making obscene gestures with women's underwear on display at Aurora and Naperville department stores.