Police to keep closer watch on 'naked neighbor'

NEAR RAINIER, Ore. - A KATU investigation into a naked man that folks have been complaining about for years has gained national attention and now video of him in the buff could land the guy in some hot water.

KATU News confronted the so-called 'Naked Neighbor' after people told us he repeatedly exposes himself to people driving by his house, and to children on a passing school bus.  From the complaints we heard, he has been doing it for around 20 years now.

According to Oregon law, 59-year-old Jimmy "Mack" McKenzie has every right to walk around his property in the nude, even if it is in full view of children.  The law is clear and states that it does not become a crime unless the person engages in sexual intercourse publicly or attempts to arouse sexual desire with their self or another person.

So lies the problem of what to do about a guy who likes to walk around in the nude no matter who else is around. 

However, McKenzie just might find himself in some trouble after all.  That's because neighbors say McKenzie has engaged in more than just public nudity.  They say he has fondled himself as well.

KATU News has also showed our exclusive video of McKenzie to the Columbia County Sheriff's Department, which is questioning whether the man broke the law. 

"Will your office go after him if he is doing more than just exposing himself?" we asked Lt. Jerry Simmons.  "Absolutely," he said.  "If a crime is being committed, yes we will.  And I think this is a very, as you determined, dangerous individual, and by all means he needs to be prosecuted on everything."

McKenzie, meanwhile, is currently free on bail, facing 50 counts of Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse after police searched his home in 2005 and found boxes and computer hard drives filled with child pornography.  He goes to trial in late September.

McKenzie is also on probation for a 2004 conviction.  If it is determined that he broke the law in the video, his probation could be revoked immediately.

As for the national attention the story has gained, Lt. Simmons was in the KATU studios on Wednesday for a satellite interview with Fox's Bill O'Reilly.  He joined radio personality Victoria Taft to talk about the story.