Bizarre Library Confrontation Ends in Charges

A 37-year-old Waukesha man is facing charges after he authorities say he shouted at a Waukesha Public Library employee who confronted him about being banned from the facility.

John J. Gfesser was charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court last week with one count disorderly conduct. If convicted, he faces up to 90 days in jail and $1,000 in fines.

According to the criminal complaint:

At 10:30 a.m. Aug. 20, a library employee spotted Gfesser coming into the library with a friend and sit down at a computer. The employee knew Gfesser had been banned from the library in the past, so he decided to approach him.

The employee asked Gfesser if he could speak to him for a minute, which caused Gfesser to jump up from his chair with his fists clenched, get into the man’s face and ask if he wanted to talk about his mother and daughter. The employee said he didn’t know what he was talking about, which made Gfesser throw his hands in the air and eventually leave the library.

The employee felt threatened by the event, so he called the Waukesha Police Department.   

Gfesser’s friend was still at the library when police arrived and he told them the employee had approached them, so Gfesser got up and said “What, you want to talk about my mom and dad.” He said the employee then walked away, so Gfesser sat back down and continued to type on a computer before leaving.

Officers found Gfesser sitting on the porch of his home in the 300 block of South Grandview Boulevard, where he told them he was at the library to help his friend with his Walmart card. He said the employee that approached him has a problem with him and harasses him, and on the day of the incident said something to Gfesser about throwing four tools at his dad’s head when he arrived at work.

Gfesser will make his initial appearance in court Oct. 22.