PORTLAND (AP) — Jack McClellan, a self-proclaimed pedophile who gained pariah status among parents because of his now-defunct Web site that featured photographs he took of little girls in public places, has moved to Portland, citing its reputation as a “haven for offbeat people.”

McClellan recently left California amid public outrage that drew national attention. He told The Oregonian newspaper he will no longer take pictures of children because he now “sees it from the parents’ side.”

McClellan’s path to becoming something of a celebrity pedophile started in Washington, where he was identified as the creator of the Web site that also discussed public places where pedophiles could go to watch girls, such as parks, libraries and fast-food restaurants.

The site angered parents, and one school sought a no-trespassing order against him. He left Washington in May and headed to California to restart his Web site. But his Internet service provider took down his site.

Parents in California recognized him from anti-pedophile organizations, and he soon faced a civil lawsuit seeking to block him from approaching anyone younger than 18.

He was arrested for violating the restraining order, although those charges were dropped. He then headed to Oregon.

“There’s really no place left for me to go,” McClellan told the newspaper.

Though the 45-year-old claims he is sexually attracted to girls, he said he has never molested one. McClellan said he started the site as a form of therapy.

By publicly announcing his move to Portland, McClellan said he wants to pre-emptively blunt efforts to “out” him by those who track his movements. Moreover, he said the media attention will help protect him from harassment.

Sgt. Brian Schmautz, spokesman for the Portland Police Bureau, said the media alerted police to McClellan’s move to the city. Because he is not a convicted sex offender, McClellan does not need to register with authorities, Schmautz said.