Time in House of Correction, probation for man accused of staring at girls at Greenfield Public Library

GREENFIELD (WITI) -- He pleaded guilty to five counts of disorderly conduct, and on Thursday, May 7th, 28-year-old Robert Gidlund, accused of following and then staring at girls at the Greenfield Public Library was sentenced.

Gidlund initially faced two count of stalking a victim under the age of 18.

Gidlund was sentenced to serve 30 days in the House of Correction (with release for vocational programming) on the first disorderly conduct charge. He was sentenced to serve a total of 360 days in the House of Correction on the other four disorderly conduct charges -- but those sentences were stayed, and Gidlund has instead been ordered to serve 18 months probation.

As conditions of his probation, he cannot have any contact with the victims  in this case. He cannot maintain any social media accounts, and his electronic devices are subject to inspection. He has been ordered to pay court costs, and he cannot visit any public libraries.

A probation review hearing has been scheduled for November 6th -- and the court will consider ruling on requiring a sex offender evaluation.

Police say Gidlund followed two teenage girls for weeks -- and he was even captured on camera peeping through a bookshelf at the Greenfield Public Library.

“He admitted to watching these girls and stated he found them attractive,” Sgt. Sean Licht with the Greenfield Police Department said.

Sgt. Licht says a 17-year-old girl noticed the suspect following her and her 14-year-old sister for about six weeks. According to an affidavit, the suspect would constantly stare at the victims; ducking and hiding behind the books at the library to get a better look.

Court documents indicate Gidlund admitted to and was observed by the detective masturbating while watching the girls in the library. Gidlund claims he’s done this at least 20 times with the two teens. He was arrested — and when authorities searched his vehicle, they found a roll of duct tape.

Gidlund admitted to going to the library right before school lets out about three to four times a week.

Although no physical evidence showed it, the suspect did confess to also committing these same acts numerous other times with several other girls in the library.

Police encourage any other possible victims to come forward.