Homeowners May be Hurting Themselves

July 21, 2006

When a halfway house for sex offenders in Sheridan, Oregon opened up this month, local opposition grew so fierce that officials were forced to close it down.

Operated by Stepping Out Ministries, the home provided a place for five recently released sex offenders to stay while they searched for housing and work. Stepping Out Ministries also has two homes for offenders in Salem. Living at the homes gives offenders a permanent residence, thus allowing them to comply with registration laws. . .

Keeping up with Offenders

July 2, 2006

Salt Lake City, UT is working to uncover the sex offenders that have gone underground. To do this, the City Police Department has formed a Sex Offender Compliance Team with its primary function being tracking down non-compliant offenders.

In a recent sweep, the Team visited 282 registered sex offenders, and discovered that 94 of them were not where they said they’d be. Officials estimate that nearly one-third of the city's offenders are non-compliant with registration laws. At least 640 offenders statewide in Utah are non-compliant. . .

McDonalds Ceases Hiring Sex Offenders

May 26, 2006

In response to an investigation conducted by Nashville, Tennessee's WTVF, McDonalds has reformed its hiring practices.

The news team discovered dozens of convicted sex offenders working in close proximity to children in McDonalds branch stores. Offenses ranged from use of a minor for obscene purposes to attempted rape of a child to aggravated sexual assault. The investigation included interviews with two young boys who had been molested by their previously convicted manager.

Although McDonalds challenged some of the findings of WTVF, the corporation has issued a new policy requiring all prospective employees to disclose all felony convictions as a hiring condition. Previously, McDonalds only asked for convictions within the past five years, and often did not perform background checks to verify clean records. Now, the company will require background checks on all managers, and will check sex offender registries for all employees. McDonalds is also encouraging its franchisees to perform similar background checks.

WTVF's investigation uncovered cases dating back to 1989 of convicted offenders in several states who re-offended while working at McDonalds. Among these was Nicholas Aloyo, an offender with a record for sexual abuse of children. Aloyo’s records strongly recommended that he be kept away from children, but he was left in charge of children during family nights at McDonalds. Aloyo lost his position at McDonalds when he was arrested on charges of child pornography.

For more information see the Chron.com and NewsChannel5.com.

Back to Top

Canada Hosts Online Safety Week

May 12, 2006

Today concludes the week-long online safety awareness in Canada. The event was kicked-off with startling new statistics showing that the majority (83%) of parents allow their children to surf online unmonitored. In addition, the poll highlighted the fact that that many children have been bullied online, have chatted with strangers, and have been pressured to visit inappropriate websites.

The third annual AOL Canada Online Safety Week's aim was to heighten awareness of Internet safety. The even featured events such as a series of activities which took a closer look at the real dangers facing children online, a contests to advance Internet safety in schools, the donation and distribution of KOL(TM) kids Internet service to Canadian public libraries. The week also held the opportunity of interviews with Daniel Cook, the eight-year-old host of, "This is Daniel Cook," to get a kid?s perspective on Internet issues, and with Karen Robbins, the Online Safety Expert and AOL Canada "Net Mom".

Throughout the week, Karen Robbins offered advice during personal interviews over the phone or in her own home. At the outset, Robbins stressed the responsibility of parents to acquaint their children with the dangers facing them online. She said parents need to prepare their children to cope with peer pressure and what to do if they a met by a cyber-bully or predator online.

Robbins says that in order to prepare their children to cope with dangers online, parents must first become "cyber-savvy" themselves. A survey sent throughout Canada showed that parents are more comfortable with educating their children about sex and drugs than they are about teaching Internet safety. Parents can attend computer classes at a local colleges or even online to become better acquainted with the Internet. Robbins encourages parents to set up an "Internet kid-zone." She recommends looking for an Internet service designed for children such as KOL. Such services provide children with safe sites and an easy place for parents for parents to "set the ground rules."

Robbins also recommends that parents "keep computers out in the open": it is much easier to monitor children?s Internet activities when they are in plain sight. Most parents would never let their children swim alone, and yet many let their children surf the web alone. However, Robbins suggests that parents still set up parental controls to monitor Internet activities, and that parents set time limits to time spent on the Internet.

"Discuss online safety with teachers," is another of Robbins?s maxims. She says that it is important to ascertain that online supervision is also a regular part of children?s educational web surfing. It is important to be aware of your child?s environment: whether it is at home, at school, or at the home of a friend.

Back to Top

Texas Toughens Sex Offender Ordinance

May 8, 2006

Texas's Lake Jackson City Council has adopted the sex offender ordinance approved in Brazoria County--with a few important changes.

One change includes the addition of a section requiring offenders to display a sign on Halloween to warn parents and children of their status as sex offenders. The section mandates that the signs should be posted between the hours of 4 p.m. and 11 p.m. on October 30 and 31. The lettering must be two inches tall, and must read "sexual predator residence." The signs must appear on the sidewalk and all accessible exterior doors. Originally, the ordinance stated that the offenders should leave a light on to make the sign visible, but was changed when a previous ordinance requiring sex offenders to leave their porch lights off on Halloween was brought up.

The ordinance also includes the recently popular 1,000-foot from schools and daycares living restriction for sex offenders. However, Lake Jackson's version of the ordinance forbids offenders from living within 1,000 feet of places where children commonly gather; this restriction includes schools, playgrounds, video arcades, and public swimming pools. Lake Jackson also includes a possible fine for people who knowingly rent to sex offenders within these restricted areas. The ordinance also gives local police the power to enforce such restrictions.

While the Brazoria ordinance applies only to offenders whose crimes involved children younger than 16, Lake Jackson's ordinance applies to offenders who violated children under 17.

Ordinances such as these are prompting constitutional debates throughout the country. In Minnesota, Mayor Aaron Summers and City Council member George Marin declared that they would not recommend drafting an ordinance restricting living areas for sex offenders in Albert Lea. Their reasoning was that the two men felt that such a measure would not be effective at preventing abuse, and would promote a false sense of security. The committee did recommend that the city allocate funds for public education on sex offender issues.

Supporters of the ordinances say that an ineffective ordinance is better than no ordinance at all. They also state that keeping sex offenders away from areas of temptation will prevent another case like Megan Nicole Kanka or Jessica Lunsford.

Back to Top

Sex Offender Challenges Registries

May 5, 2006

Justice Kirk Studstrup will not prevent the state from registering a convicted sex offender on Maine's registry.

The offender, identified as John Doe, was convicted of a sex offense between 1982 and 1986, a period that until last year, was not covered on the registry. Doe requested to be exempt from registering on the grounds that it would endanger his safety, his family's safety and his employment. Doe's complaints were filed less than a month after the murders of Joseph Gray and William Elliott.

John Doe Doe says that he has been law abiding since his conviction, but has been dodging the new registration requirement.

Judge Studstrup said that courts must be careful about blocking a law designed to protect the public. Although Studstrup sympathized with Doe's personal concerns, he ruled that public issues outweighed those concerns. Studstrup did not rule on the separate challenge of the constitutionality of state sex offender registries.

This is not the first attempt to shut down state registries. In early April, sex offenders in New Jersey joined with the American Civil Liberties Union to challenge the constitutionality of the Internet Registry Act. The three-judge court was unanimous in its decision to reject the claims, but the ACLU has plans to appeal the decision. The New Jersey case is one of a series of attacks on Internet registries.

The Internet Registry Act is an extension of Megan's Law, which requires sex offenders to register for a state-specified amount of time. Megan's Law was named for seven-year-old Megan Kanka, who was raped and brutally murdered by a convicted sex offender living on her street.

Back to Top

Sex Offenders and Felons to be Separated From Other Refugees

May 5, 2006

Texas emergency leaders are attempting to restore order to the confusion following an evacuation in the event of a hurricane with a plan to house sex offenders and convicted felons in separate shelters.

The decision to draft a plan followed concerns raised in a mock hurricane drill. Sheltered and registered evacuees will be run through official databases or checked on the state's 2-1-1 phone service. Those with a criminal background will be placed in a separate shelter.

The final draft of the plan is expected to be finished after an additional drill, however, details about the actual separation of sex offenders and criminals will not be released to maintain effectiveness.

Spokeswoman for the Red Cross, Margaret O'Brien-Molina, is skeptical of the helpfulness of the plan. She fears that it may discourage many people from seeking help in an emergency if they feel their background will be an issue. Texas Homeland Security Director Steve McCraw asserts that it is the state?s duty to protect families and children by not housing them with sex offenders and criminals during chaotic emergencies.

For more information see the Express-News Austin Bureau and the Herald Democrat Online.

Back to Top

McDonalds Stands Behind Sex Offender

May 3, 2006

Adam Szczesny and Damian Serafin, both 15, were excited begin their new jobs at McDonalds. The summer job held the promise of money, independence?and molestation.

20-year-old Joshua Diaz was the assistant manager at the McDonalds where the boys worked. The family lawyer, Bill Courtney says that Diaz?s actions varied in intensity. Sometimes he would simply touch their legs or pat them. At other times, he would trap them in a room and kiss them or touch them elsewhere.

The boys were afraid to tell anyone about the incidents because they were afraid they would lose their jobs. When the boys did come out, Diaz was terminated from his job at the corporate owned McDonalds. Within six days, Diaz was hired in a management position at a franchise McDonalds less than 10 miles away from the store where he had molested Adam and Damian. Diaz was also accepted into the management training program at the McDonalds corporate headquarters.

McDonalds has taken the stance that they have no say over who is hired at franchises. NewsChannel5?s investigation uncovered dozens of convicted child molesters working alongside young teenagers at other McDonalds franchise.

Scott Smyers, a convicted sex offender, worked at McDonalds until just recently, and he told NewsChannel 5's Phil Williams that some McDonalds knowingly hire convicted molesters. Smyers was employed at McDonalds when they hired Nicholas Aloyo, an offender rated by his parole officers to be at high risk for re-offense. Smyers says that although the managers knew about Aloyo?s background, they still placed him in charge of the children during Family Nights.

The local owner of the McDonalds maintains that he was ignorant of the background of these men, and that they lied on their applications. Tennessee probation officers say that they have very strict policy, and check with the employers of the sex offenders to make sure that they know who they have hired.

Back to Top

Lie Detector Tests and Internet Bans for Some Sex Offenders

May 3, 2006

One case in the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has made it legal to use lie detectors when questioning offenders about their parole compliancy and to ban some offenders from Internet use.

Jeffrey A. Johnson, an aerospace engineer and sophisticated computer user, was sentenced to seven years and four months in prison with three years probation for luring several children on the Internet into sexual encounters. Johnson was subjected to polygraph testing in order to ascertain that he had had sex with two of his victims and arranged to meet a third.

Johnson challenged the polygraph testing in the Court of Appeals, claiming that the tests violated his Fifth Amendment right to avoid self-incrimination. He also asserted that polygraph tests are unreliable and provide information unrelated to the case.

The appeals court upheld the decision of Albany?s U.S. District Judge Thomas McAvoy, saying that the lie detector tests circumvent deception and encourage offenders to tell the truth. The court also upheld McAvoy?s decision to ban Johnson?s Internet use, saying that Johnson?s skills would allow him to bypass security software. However, the court asserted that bans on Internet use are not appropriate in all cases?careful individual assessment is encouraged.

For more information see WIStv.com and Newsday.com.

Back to Top

Convicted Sex Offender Employed at Wal-Mart Molests Again

April 26, 2006

Maria Hollins, mother of a 10-year-old girl who was fondled by a Wal-Mart employee, is suing the giant chain for gross negligence. Hollins faults the company for not performing background checks and not properly monitoring the convicted offender, Bobby Devon Randall, while he worked with children.

Surveillance cameras captured Randall inappropriately touched the girl when she entered the electronics aisle where he worked. The cameras also recorded Randall following the girl and exposing himself until the girl's sister led her away. Randall was convicted of performing a lewd act on a minor, and sentenced to 10 years in prison. Randall died six months into his sentence.

Wal-Mart's attorneys admit that hiring managers did not perform a background check on Randall, but point to its surveillance system, supervisors, and good lighting as proof of adequate monitoring of employees. They also claim that the company is not legally required to do background checks on every employee. Attorney Steve Morrison counters Hollins's depiction of Wal-Mart as callous by pointing to the $25 gift certificate offered to the girl in apology when she reported the incident. She never used the certificate.

Wal-Mart immediately suspended Randall after learning of his actions. Morrison informed the jury that the case should be about Randall, a man who committed a crime and paid for it. Morrison questions the motive of the victim's family by reporting that Maria Hollins went to an attorney before taking her daughter to a physician.

Frances Parker testified on behalf of the plaintiff, citing an incident when her daughter witnessed Randall masturbating in the Wal-Mart parking lot. Parker informed several other employees, including the police, but received little response.

For more information see CourtTV.com and MyrtleBeachOnline.com.

Back to Top

Education over Restriction

April 20, 2006

Wyoming recently passed an ordinance restricting sex offenders to undeveloped land. Offenders must now purchase land and build a house in order to live in the state. Corrections Supervisor Russ Stricker says that these strict ordinances are popular but ineffective. He also says that the ordinance may have a decisively negative impact on the community because offenders will be less likely to correctly register when they are living in restricted areas due to such demanding restrictions.

When considering similar restrictions in areas of Minnesota, officials opted instead for education. Chief Paul Philip of the Austin Police Department insists that the best protection for children is education on the part of the parents. He continues, saying that not enough children are aware of what constitutes appropriate and inappropriate behavior with others. Philip admits that such conversations may be uncomfortable and difficult, but the City Council is holding a work session in which officials will discuss ways to assist parents with such a taxing task.

Back to Top

Man Shoots Two Registered Sex Offenders

April 18, 2006

Two sex offenders were shot in their homes—25 miles apart—on Sunday. The suspect, Stephen Marshall, 20, from Canada, shot himself before authorities could question him. Investigators learned that the offenders, William Elliott and Joseph L. Gray, were among the 34 names Marshall looked up on an online registry.

Maine police disabled the online registry while they searched for Marshall, but they restored the site Monday afternoon. Some, such as Jack King from the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, feel that this incident proves that sex offender registries are an invitation to vigilantism and violence. Others feel that posting the addresses of offenders is a violation of their civil rights.

Steve McCausland, with the Maine Department of Public Safety points out that computer users,and even anyone with a phone book, can obtain the addresses and personal information of anyone—not just sex offenders. State authorities defend the public‘s right to be aware of sex offenders and stand by the online registry.

Jason Gibbs, spokesman for Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas reminds the public that this is an isolated incident, and asserts that the value of registries to parents and children outweighs the bearing of one incident on society.

Marshall had a clean record before being cornered by authorities on a bus headed for Boston. Investigators are still searching for what caused Marshall to look up the offenders online and hunt them down. Marshall‘s is not the first case of vigilantism, but such cases are rare.

Back to Top

States Seek to Impose Death Penalty on Sex Offenders

March 24, 2006

As lawmakers throughout the country work to tighten restrictions against sex offenders, several states are considering the most controversial move of all. State governments such as Oklahoma and South Carolina are currently considering legislation to allow the death penalty for sex offenders.

Oklahoma‘s senate has approved a bill authored by Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, a democrat from Durant, which give juries the option of sentencing repeat child molesters to a life sentence or the death penalty. Sen. Bernest Cain is calling the bill "a redneck re-election bill," while others hail it as an important step in dissuading future crimes.

South Carolina‘s government is also considering legislation to give the death penalty to twice-convicted sex offenders as an option to juries. The bill‘s creation corresponded with the arrest of Kenneth Hinson: an offender who was arrested for raping two teenaged girls while still on parole for raping an 11-year-old girl.

Although these states are raising incredible controversy in the attempt to pass the death penalty legislation, Oklahoma and South Carolina are not the first states to consider such bills. Louisiana instituted a bill approving the death penalty for offenders convicted of raping children younger than 12 in 1995.

Back to Top

Washington Restricts Where Sex Offenders Can Hang Out

March 21, 2006

Washington‘s Governor Chistine Gregoire signed nearly 20 bills addressing sex offender legislation on Monday. The bills addressed issues from increasing minimum sentences for violent offenders to 25 years to increasing penalties for possession of child pornography.

The influx of sex offender legislation was written in response to the Joseph Duncan case. While on probation for raping and murdering a young boy in Tacoma, WA, Duncan brutally murdered three people in their home. He abducted the two remaining children, and took them to a campsite where he repeatedly raped nine-year-old Dylan and eight-year-old Shasta. Duncan killed Dylan in front of Shasta before she was finally rescued by authorities.

In the attempt to prevent such repeat offences, Washington has adopted some of the strictest sex offender legislation in the nation. The state is the first to implement a law banning sex offenders from hanging out in areas where children congregate. Termed the Criminal Trespass against Children Law, the bill makes it illegal for Level Two and Three sex offenders to even enter public and private facilities and community centers for children.

The Criminal Trespass against Children Law depends on the staff of the facilities for enforcement. They will need notification fliers and online registration websites to help them identify convicted offenders.

Back to Top

Child Molester Receives Probation Instead of Jail Time

March 17, 2006

Ohio‘s Judge John Connor recently sentenced Andrew Selva to five years probation for repeatedly raping two boys aged 5 and 12 over a period of three years. State officials and citizens alike are furious at the frustratingly light sentence.

Although his sentence reflected poor judgement, Judge Connor was fully within Ohio State law. After making a mistake in the paperwork, prosecutors dropped their original charges of 20 counts of rape and settled for a plea bargain. Connor says had prosecutors proceeded with the rape charges, he could have sentenced Selva to several life sentences. Instead, prosecutors settled for sexual battery which in Ohio carries the legal penalty of probation to 10 years in prison.

In addition to the five years of probation, Connor sentenced Selva to one year of house arrest and counseling; a sentence that is on the light sight of the prescribed spectrum considering Selva admitted to raping the two boys. Connor claims psychologists examined Selva and found him to pose little threat to society. Rather than punishing Selva for the crime he committed, Connor maintains that helping Selva get his life back to normal is the best option for all.

Judge Conner is also under fire for his recent light treatment of a man who killed two teenagers while driving drunk. Connor, who has been charged with dunk driving, ordered the man‘s early release from prison because the judge understands what it is like to suffer from alcoholism.

House Republicans dropped an attempt to impeach Connor after realizing Democrats would not back the movement. Lawmakers are now turning their efforts to changing state law to require a minimum jail time for child molesters.

Back to Top

The Trouble with Sex Offender Registration

March 14, 2006

As registration laws get tougher, law enforcement officials are meeting obstacles in enforcing such ordinances. Lack of funding and personnel allow hundreds of sex offenders to slip into hiding, and many are searching for ways to reduce the number of non-compliant offenders.

Virginia‘s Governor Kaine has called a special session in the General Assembly to readjust the budget to accommodate increased monitoring of sex offenders. Under new legislation, violent predators will be required to wear GPS devices for a minimum of three years.

Jackson County Missouri is doing its part to alleviate the problems surrounding registration by extending the contract of a private investigator who tracks down non-compliant sex offenders. Newton‘s last contract proved to be incredibly successful as he located over 300 unregistered sex offenders. He sorted through the offenders to determine who needed to register, who had moved out of the state, and who needed to be removed from the non-compliant list because of incarceration of death. Sheriff Tom Phillips says that until police resources for tracking sex offenders is increased, Newton is an essential asset.

Back to Top

Elizabeth Smart Lends Support to Tougher Federal Sex Offender Legislation

March 9, 2006

Congress is working to strengthen laws protecting children from sex offenders with the Children‘s Safety and Violent Crimes Reduction Act. Proposing the biggest changes in federal sex offender laws since the 1990s, advocates of the bill say that it will close the loopholes that have allowed thousands of sex offenders to disappear in the system.

The bill would require sex offenders to register before being released from prison, and would increase the amount of time offenders must remain registered from 10 years to 20 years. A maximum penalty of 20 years in prison is set for offenders who fail to comply with the registration requirements. The bill would also ensure that states notify each other when registered offenders move from one state to the other. Also on the bill are provisions for creating a national sex offender registry website.

Some are afraid that the tougher registration requirements will simply push more offenders into hiding rather than encouraging them to turn themselves in if they fail to comply. Others say that we need to focus our resources on only the most violent criminals rather than all levels of sex offenders.

Others, such as Parents for Megan‘s Law, support the legislation whole-heartedly. Many point to Jessica Lunsford, who was kidnapped, raped, and buried alive by a registered sex offender whom police had lost track of. Supporters say the tougher requirements will encourage more to comply to avoid the harsher penalties.

Elizabeth Smart came out in public for the first time to announce her support of the new sex offender legislation. Smart was kidnapped from her home in Salt Lake City nearly four years ago and held for nine months by two suspects still awaiting trial. Smart calls on Congress and the Senate to promptly pass the bill to protect the next victim because she does not want to see anyone else go through what she had to endure.

Back to Top

Are Sex Offender Laws Protecting Our Children?

March 6, 2006

With the recent fear surrounding sex offenders, there has been a boom in the amount of legislation concerning sentences, registration requirements, and living restrictions for offenders.

When Level 2 or 3 sex offenders move to Cuero, TX, they will now be required to post a sign outside of their residence which reads "A Registered Sex Offender Lives Here." Counties all over Iowa have enacted bills that restrict convicted sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of schools and day care centers.

Such bills pose the question of whether or not some of these bills are really protecting children. Rebecca Baas, a volunteer with the Rape Crisis Center, argues that identifying sex offenders with a sign may only serve to make the offenders "feel powerless and isolated." She states that these feelings lead to excess aggression, which will vent itself in the form of another crime.

Research done by the Iowa County Attorney‘s association show that there is no connection between where a sex offender lives and where he or she commits a crime. Iowa Cerro Gordo County Sheriff Kevin Pals says that not only do the laws create a false sense of security, but they are difficult and expensive to enforce. He reminds citizens that there is no easy fix to the sex offender problem, and states that the most effective way to protect children is to keep informed and remain aware of what is happening around you and your children.

Back to Top

House Eases Sex Offender Registration Requirements for Youth

March 3, 2006

A juvenile sex offender, Joseph DeFrancesco, was arrested at the home of a relative in Arizona. DeFrancesco was charged with sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl, armed robbery, kidnapping, and failure to report change of address as a registered sex offender. The Illinois House recently passed a bill that could allow juveniles like DeFrancesco to bypass registering as sex offenders.

Current legislation in Illinois requires all sex offenders to register for 10 years once released from prison. With a narrow vote of 62-52, the House approved a bill which will require courts to decide on an individual basis whether juveniles have to register when they turn 17.

Supporters of the bill say that the change will give youths a chance to turn their lives around. Critics of the bill attack the notion of loosening stipulations for serious crimes. Some wonder whether the courts can be made to take certain factors into account when making their decisions. The bill will now have to be reviewed by the Senate before being implemented into legislation.

Back to Top

Publicity Brings Results in the Attempt to Locate Missing Sex Offenders

February 28, 2006

When keeping children safe from sex offenders, law enforcers struggle with a common problem?keeping track of each offender. New York‘s News 4 recently investigated the problem by covering two missing Level 3 sex offenders.

George Bowser was convicted of raping a child, while Timothy Chatman was convicted of attempted rape. Both offenders are considered to be at high risk for re-offense, and although both are registered in Buffalo, law enforcers are unable to locate either of them. According to state law, Level 3 offenders must verify their addresses every 90 days.

When possible, police do search old addresses and contacts of sex offenders who fail to check in, but officials from Buffalo say that they simply do not have enough resources to keep track of each individual. The I-Team investigation discovered that Connecticut also lacks resources, and 1 out of every 10 offenders has failed to update their addresses with police. Detective Puma with the Erie County Sheriff‘s Office states that "citizens are our biggest asset" in locating Level 3 offenders in violation of registration laws.

Law enforcers hold locating the non-compliant offenders as a high priority because of the threat they pose to children. If you recognize a sex offender living in an address different from the one he is registered to on MapSexOffenders.com, contact your local police. Just one day after the News 4 show aired, Timothy Chapman turned himself in to police. George Bowser is still on the run.

Back to Top

Oprah's Influence at Work

February 24, 2006

Oprah's publicity has lead to the capture of yet another sex offender. With tips from viewers of Oprah's show and the help of local authorities, FBI agents tracked William George Barney to Baja California.

Wanted on allegations of molesting a young child over a six-year span lasting from 1994 to 2000, Barney has been evading Las Vegas Police for almost five years.

Barney was brought back to the United States on Wednesday and is awaiting extradition to Nevada. Further details of the arrest will soon be featured on Oprah's Website.

Back to Top

Parole Agents Hiding Sex Offenders From the Law

February 16, 2006

While working undercover, CBS 13 and its sister stations made the distressing discovery that parole agents have been hiding high-risk sex offenders by passing the offenders between motels every few days with tax payer money.

The agents were under orders by the Department of Corrections administration to pass these high-risk offenders among Pico Rivera, Norwalk, South Gate and El Monte. The motels were often within blocks of elementary schools?violating California law, which states that high-risk sex offenders can not live within half a mile of schools. By moving every four days, the offenders could be classified as transients, therefore allowed to live near schools.

Public officials are outraged at what they feel are attempts to undermine recently passed legislation. Assemblyman Rudy Bermudez and Mayor David Armenta have announced a Feb. 22 hearing to bring those responsible forward and hold them accountable for their actions.

Back to Top

Virginia Postpones Castration of Sex Offenders

February 10, 2006

Augusta County Senator Emmett Hanger is brewing controversy in Virginia with his proposal for surgical castration of sex offenders. On Thursday, the legislative vote was postponed for a year to allow criminal experts to study the implications of the proposal. Hanger admits that the bill will likely be defeated, but he is determined to bring attention to the issue. He feels that current treatments are too costly and not permanent enough.

After serving their prison sentences, sex offenders in Virginia are sent to institutions to receive further treatment. Hanger's bill would give violent sexual predators the option of castration as a condition of release from this additional confinement. While Hanger touts the procedure as simple and less expensive than current treatment, some worry that castration will not treat the mental issues involved in sex offenses.

Virginia would be the first state to allow surgical castration, an irreversible procedure. Eight states allow chemical castration, a reversible procedure, and New York is currently voting on a bill that would add chemical castration to its treatment of sex offenders.

Critics of both procedures question their effectiveness in preventing a crime that is the result of a mental disorder. Psychologists say that the weakness of the procedure lies in the fact that most violent sexual crimes are more about power and control than about sex. These psychologists say that in the event that an offender chooses castration, treatment would still be necessary. Others question the long-term effects castration will have on offenders.

Back to Top

Convicted Offender Rapes Again

February 1, 2006

In 1999, Ronald Hurlbert Jr. pleaded guilty to charges of raping a 17-year-old girl. After serving five years in prison, Hurlbert was released and labeled a Level 3 offender?the classification indicating that the individual is at high risk for re-offending. While still on parole for this first time offense, Hurlbert raped another woman.

Hurlbert kidnapped his victim in February of 2005, and repeatedly raped her over a period of five days. After the event was reported, police obtained a search warrant and found several items with the victim's DNA in Hurlbert's mother's apartment. The 25-year old plead not guilty.

The eight-day trial ended with several convictions, including kidnapping, criminal sexual acts, and criminal possession of a weapon. Hurlbert now faces 25 years to life in prison, this being his second offense. The sentencing trial will take place some time in March.

Back to Top

Public Outraged at Light Sentence for Sex Offender

January 25, 2006

After admitting to sexually assaulting the young child of a family friend for a period of over four years, Mark Hulett was sentenced to a 60-day minimum prison sentence. Although the child, now 10, was very reluctant to speak to authorities, police managed to get a confession from Hulett to more than 20 instances of oral sex and fondling with the child. Hulett's friend, Derek Kimball is currently under investigation for assaulting the girl in separate instances.

Both Hulett and Kimball were trusted family friends. In 2003, the Department for Children and Families investigated the girl's claims that "Uncle Derek" and "Uncle Mark" had touched her inappropriately. When the allegations could not be proved, the case was dropped, and the girl's parents continued to allow the men to baby-sit and even sleep in the same room with the child. The assaults continued for two years after the girl first came forward.

Public outrage has escalated against District Court Judge Edward Cashman for his lenient sentence. From Fox New's Bill O'Reilly's condemnations, to Vermont's own Gov. James Douglas advising voluntary resignation, Cashman is under extreme pressure to reconsider his ruling. In addition, tourists are threatening to boycott Vermont, a state that depends on its lucrative tourism trade.

Cashman and his supporters defend the sentence by citing the sex offender treatment planned for after the prison sentence. They also point out that Hulett will be under strict surveillance for the rest of his life?he could be incarcerated for life if he violates any one of the 22 conditions of his parole. Cashman cites a sincere belief in the rehabilitation of offenders; opposition cites the need for a "punishment appropriate to the offense."

Back to Top

Sex Offenders in Group Homes Stir Controversy

January 17, 2006

Ohio State currently pays for recently released sex offenders to stay at one of five homes while they look for jobs and housing. With sex offenders living so close in such high concentrations, citizens worry for their children and officials have asked the state to move large groups of offenders living together.

Beulah's House gives shelter to six sexual predators, the classification given to the most dangerous sex offenders. Cleveland's Mates in Ministry Connection House has 28 residents, ten of which are classified as predators. Lorain Police Chief Cel Rivera states that the Compass House puts the load of 18 sex offenders onto a city already burdened with several public treatment centers such as mental health institutions.

Although Cleveland's City Councilman, Roosevelt Coats has requested that the state move the offenders, Law Director Mark Provenza states that they have no legal right to do so, as the homes are not within 1,000 feet of a school. Directors of the homes are required to notify residents and businesses that they are housing sex offenders.

Currently, police have not had any problems with offenders living in the homes, as they are under strict, 24-hour security. Sam Simmons, the director of Beulah's House, is trained to help sex offenders re-enter society, and assures citizens that the homes are the best place for sex offenders to be. He affirms that sex offenders are coming out of prison regardless of new laws, and that having them in a home with surveillance and treatment is the safest option for all.

Back to Top

New York Works to Reform Megan's Law

January 16, 2006

3,579 convicted sex offenders will disappear from the New York State Sex Offender Registry by the end of the year if legislation remains unchanged.

In accordance with current law, Level One and Two sex offenders are automatically dropped from the registry after 10 years. The most violent offenders with the highest recidivism risk, Level Three offenders, have only to wait 13 years before petitioning the court to be removed from the registry. On January 21, the 10th anniversary of the New York Registry, the first 168 offenders registered will drop off the registry and vanish into society.

Troy Norman Volk's conviction of raping two women occurred 20 years prior to his conviction of raping an 11-old-girl in November of 2005. Megan Nicole Kanka and Jessica Lunsford's murders were both committed by convicted sex offenders. Sex offenders do not set time frames for recidivism.

Senate Deputy Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos, the author of Megan's Law, is leading the move to reform legislation. Skelos is working to require lifetime registration of sex offenders, with Level One offenders eligible to petition for removal from the registry after 20 years. Heretofore, the state Assembly has refused to allow a vote on the issue, and Skelos now calls for support and cooperation in the effort to strengthen Megan's Law requirements.

Back to Top

Confinement of Sex Offenders Creates Obstacles

January 10, 2006

The number of convicted sex offenders is growing, and average sentences for offences are lengthening. With this recent surge in state government crackdowns on sex offenders comes a new dilemma facing the enforcement of such laws.

As the Jessica Lunsford laws sweep across the country, sentences are rising to 25 years for first time sexual offences against minors. Many states, like Michigan and Kentucky, are working to punish unregistered offenders by seeking out individuals and increasing prison terms for noncompliance. To prevent the quick release of sexually violent predators into society, some states, such as New York, are turning to civil confinement after sentences. With offenders pouring into prisons, these lengthened terms have created the problem of limited space in treatment facilities.

Sex offenders can not be simply incarcerated; offenders must also receive treatment and counseling to prepare the individual to reenter society and to lower the probability of recidivism. Such treatment can cost up to $300 a day, as compared with $76 a day for regular confinement.

To deal with the problem, many states are having to increase funding for prison systems. Minnesota's Gov. Tim Pawlenty just proposed a $44.6 million expansion of the state's treatment facility. The proposal will add new beds as well as increase security. New York's Gov. George Pataki has included $130 million in his budget proposal to pay for the civil confinement of sex offenders. Both governors assert the importance of doing everything possible to protect citizens from violent predators.

Back to Top

US Not Alone in the Struggle to Monitor Sex Offenders

December 21, 2005

Despite the adoption of a new system meant to monitor the whereabouts of sex offenders, Japan is finding it difficult to keep track of every offender once released from prison. The National Police Agency (NPA) cannot locate nine of the 83 recently released child sex offenders. The offenders went missing immediately upon release from prison.

Japan's new system was initiated following the kidnap and murder of a 7-year-old girl by a man with a history of sexual predation on young girls. The system does not require offenders to report new addresses when they move, for fear that excessive surveillance might prevent the reintegration of offenders into society. NPA officials admit that the system has flaws that will make it hard to keep track of anyone who wants to disappear, and recent events may spur Japan to look for new methods of prevention.

Meanwhile, several states in the US are searching for ways to improve surveillance of convicted sexual predators. Some, like Kentucky, are actually sweeping the state, looking for non-compliant offenders. Others, like Oklahoma, have proposals of GPS monitoring to prevent losing the whereabouts of offenders in the first place.

Back to Top

Counties Work on the Local Level to Bring in Unregistered Sex Offenders

December 14, 2005

Upon investigating a fire in Indiana this last weekend, police found not only a horde of over 300 firearms, but also an unregistered sex offender. When police checked the state registry, they found a completely different address listed for Albert Hall.

Hall now faces charges for a felon in possession of a firearm in addition to charges of violation of the state sex offender registration law, which requires offenders to update their information once a year. According to Douglas Gosser, deputy director of the Indiana Sheriffs Association, Hall never registered with the state at all. His name was listed only because the state published the records of all known offenders after passing the registration law in 2001.

Counties all over the US are attempting to crack down on non-compliant sex offenders such as Albert Hall. Some, such as Charles County, Maryland, have published pictures of registration violators on the Internet, offering rewards for tips that bring the offenders in. Prince Williams County, Virginia is instituting a program dubbed "Project Safe Neighborhood," which enlists local law enforcement to stop by the houses of registered sex offenders and verify their addresses. Still other areas are working to toughen punishments for violators. State police welcome the vigilance on a local level, as they simply do not have the resources to keep track of every sex offender.

As officials work to crack down on these non-compliant offenders, remember when you are mapping out sex offenders in your area that if there are few or none listed, it may be due to an offender failing to register. Awareness is important at all times to protect yourself and your family.

Back to Top

Mayor Frustrated in His Attempts to Increase Public's Awareness of Sex Offenders

December 7, 2005

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa of Los Angeles recently proposed televising the addresses of registered sex offenders to increase public awareness. However, a bill signed into law just a few months ago by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger prohibits the city from broadcasting such information on any offender who is not under current investigation.

Villaraigosa's proposal consisted of plans to air the addresses and pictures of sex offenders released into the neighborhoods of LA over the city government channel. Although the plan was well underway when halted by Schwarzenegger's bill, Villaraigosa and the LAPD have changed tactics, and are now working on public service announcements promoting web sites that contain information released under Megan's Law. Villaraigosa spokesman Joe Ramallo voiced the mayor's concern that the information is still not being distributed widely enough for adequate public awareness.

Councilman Dennis Zine, a member of the committee that oversees the LAPD, stated his resolve to continue pursuing the televising of detailed Megan's Law information. He insists that such programming is necessary to protect children, and will keep looking for a way to "make it happen."

Back to Top

Dyersville May Ban Sex Offenders Completely

December 6, 2005

Dyersville, Iowa might bring the sex offender dilemma to new heights, as officials deliberate an ordinance that would ban sex offenders from living anywhere within city limits.

Current Iowa state law, implemented in 2002, restricts sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of schools or day cares. Several cities across the state have extended this ban to enough public places to essentially restrict sex offenders from living in the city at all, but Dyersville is the first to propose a straightforward ban on offenders.

Opponents of the ordinance site the difficulty of enforcing such a law, and declare that the rise in local ordinances has practically made the entire state of Iowa off-limits to sex offenders. Others are concerned with the false sense of security that having no registered sex offenders living within city limits might create.

Iowa officials assert that if instated, the ban will send a clear message of non-tolerance to potential sex offenders and likely re-offenders.

Back to Top

Officials Call for Public Vigilance

December 3, 2005

Nearly 60 sex offenders from the Mississippi Gulf Coast are still unaccounted for since being displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Although this number is greatly reduced from the recent count of 180, it is still high enough to make both citizens and officials wary.

Sex offenders in Mississippi are required to re-register every 90 days in person, and must notify the state of any change of address within 10 days. Many states require even visiting sex offenders to register if they are staying for longer than 10 days.

As the 60 non-compliant offenders could be residing in any state, and due to the high recidivism rate among sexual predators, officials call for public vigilance. Mississippi's State Registry has a list of names and pictures of all the non-compliant offenders. Familiarize yourself with this list, and if you recognize any of the offenders, notify your local police department immediately.

Back to Top

Oprah Nabs Another Sex Offender

November 29, 2005

The efforts of the Oprah Winfrey Show brought Walter Edward Myer, 66, into custody on November 22, 2005. This is the third arrest since the October 4, 2005 debut of Oprah's Predator Watch List, which promised $100,000 to anyone with information leading to the capture of wanted sex offenders.

The Alabaman was found in Costa Rica, where he had been working as an English teacher, after fleeing his court hearing eight years ago. Myers is accused of 114 cases of child molestation in addition to several accounts of child pornography.

The FBI praised Oprah's efforts, adding that they would like to continue involving the media in heightening public awareness in cases like Myer's. Michael Gavin, supervisory senior resident agent of the Montgomery FBI, stated that a "vigilant public" is the best defense against sex crimes.

Back to Top

Pennsylvania's Registry Rated Sub Par

November 28, 2005

Pennsylvania recently received a "failing" grade for its sex offender registry on the Parents for Meghan's Law website. The site's executive director, Laura A. Ahearn, stated that a registry needs to provide more details in order to help citizens protect themselves.

The Pennsylvania registry only provides street addresses for the sexually violent predators, which constitute a very small percentage of the state's predators. The state also fails to provide information about the age or gender of the victims, or even the nature of the crime.

According to Lt. Janet McNeal, head of Pennsylvania's Megan's Law Enforcement, the database includes everything state law will allow. McNeal admitted that it is difficult for Pennsylvanians to get information which is easily accessed by citizens of other states.

When asked how the situation would be improved, McNeal stated that it is now up to legislators to change the law. She said that if Pennsylvania could post the addresses of all sex offenders, the problems surrounding the registry would be solved.

MapSexOffenders.com is currently unable to map Pennsylvania, and we encourage citizens to contact their legislators and encourage them to change the state's laws.

Back to Top

Judge Deems Pataki's Actions Illegal

November 17, 2005

After years of being frustrated in attempting to set up legislation to allow confinement of violent sex offenders after their prison terms’ end, Governor Pataki turned to existing law. Using the state’s involuntary commitment law, Pataki ordered 12 offenders to be held in psychiatric hospitals after the end of their prison terms. This seemed a success for Pataki until his actions were ruled illegal, and the men ordered to be released, by State Supreme Court Justice Jacqueline Silbermann.

Before the end of their prison terms, the 12 offenders were examined by three state-appointed psychiatrists and found in need of further confinement. However, a lawyer for the Mental Hygiene Legal Services said that the psychiatrists must be chosen by the court, not the state. She also declared that if the court-appointed psychiatrists found the patient in need of hospitalization, the state must then return to court, inform the patient’s attorney, and finally ask for a court hearing before taking any action. The state defended its actions by saying that because the men were to be released so soon and posed a threat to society, another section of state law allowed for confinement without all the legal steps.

Although Silbermann admitted to the validity of the state’s concern over the release of the violent offenders into the community, she deemed the state’s actions a violation of the offenders’ rights. Pataki contends that the court is giving sex offenders and rapists more rights and protections than regular citizens, and intends to appeal the decision.

Back to Top

6 News in NC Discovers Sex Offender Living Next to a School

November 15, 2005

Investigators from 6 News tracked down a sex offender living right next to Forest Heights Elementary School in Gastonia, NC. The investigators also learned that the sex offender had been living there for months before either the school or local officials were notified of his presence.

Michael Leach’s original child sex offense case put him on probation, and required him to okay his residence as well as place of work with his probation officer. However, when Leach failed to register as a sex offender, he was placed on a different probation. The terms of this new probation do not carry the same restrictions on where Leach can and can and cannot live.

6 News reports that since learning of Leach’s presence, the elementary school has instituted several protective measures, such as escorts for children walking past Leach’s house, to keep the children safe. However, reporters also caught on tape a young child visiting Leach’s home on multiple occasions. His probation officers were unaware of such visits, and are currently investigating the probation violation.

Currently, a law that would require sex offenders to live at least a quarter mile away from school is stuck in review at Raleigh.

Back to Top

Hundreds of Michigan Offenders Arrested for Registry Violations

November 11, 2005

Police in Michigan recently finished a statewide sweep, looking for violators of the state sex offender registry law. The 55-day roundup yielded 846 arrests, with 465 facing charges of failure to verify address and 355 facing charges of failure to report new addresses.  

Michigan State law requires sex offenders to confirm their addresses with authorities four times a year, with a maximum prison sentence for non-compliance set at 93 days. The law also stipulates that offenders must register new addresses within 10 days of moving, or face up to four years in prison.

As of November 1, the Michigan Sex Offender Registry consisted of 37,916 names. With police still unsure of the whereabouts of thousands of these offenders, officials are letting sex offenders know that this was only the first of many sweeps to crack down on non-compliance. 

Back to Top

Repeat Sex Offender Rapes 11-year-old Girl

November 7, 2005

A man was arrested on Sunday in Texas City, and now waits in jail with a $350,000 bond. The steep bond was assigned due to the severity of the charge of rape, and to the man’s status as a previously convicted sex offender.

The 11-year-old victim was out with a family friend Friday night when their car broke down. Troy Norman Volk, 43, pulled up to offer assistance. After connecting the jumper cables, he told the girl to get into his truck and push the accelerator.

When the jump did not work, Volk drove off with the 11-year-old under the pretence that they were going to buy parts for the car. Instead, Volk drove to a nearby house where he raped the young girl. He then drove to a bank, where he dropped her off and drove away. The girl was treated at a local hospital before returning to her family at the end of this weekend.   

Police tracked Volk’s truck down with the help of witness accounts. At the time of arrest, Volk was still on parole for sexually assaulting two 35-year-old women in 1985.

For more information see The Galveston County News

Back to Top

Minnesota Company Seeks to Prevent Sexual Offences

November 7, 2005

New ads are appearing in Minnesota that directly target a group which few, if any, have ever advertised to—potential sex offenders. One such ad features a visibly distressed mother guarding her young daughter from the father. The ads are for a group called “Stop it now!”, an organization which aims at encouraging potential sex offenders to seek help before their behavior hurts another person. Emphasizing prevention through educating and providing counsel for adults, the group lays out its goals as the following:

Back to Top

Missing Sex Offenders Found in Arizona

November 1, 2005

In the confusion following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, officials lost track of 4,500 sex offenders. A private company conducting background checks found at least five of the convicted offenders in the homes of Arizona citizens.

Keeping track of sexual predators is the responsibility of each individual state. Arizona has its own troubles keeping tabs on offenders—the locations of 763 sex offenders are currently unknown in Arizona—a problem now exacerbated by the fact that Mississippi and Louisiana had no way to record the movements of thousands of offenders fleeing during the turmoil of Katrina.

Officials are meeting obstacles while attempting to pinpoint the whereabouts of the missing sex offenders. As the Federal Emergency Management Agency will not release lists of evacuees to officials due to privacy laws, officers are left to the tedious process of manually tracking down the absconders.  

For more information see AZCentral.com and Channel 5 News 

Back to Top

Ex-Sex Offender Cautions Parents on Halloween

October 31, 2005

While officials across the country are stepping up security and implementing safety programs to keep sex offenders away from children on Halloween, a recovering sex offender warns parents that these measures are still not enough.

The 31-year-old convicted offender says that Halloween is a time of excitement for sex offenders, and asserts that there are thousands of predators just waiting for children to walk up to their doors. He pleads with parents to not give these men the chance they are waiting for by being aware of “who your children are going to be with,” and by not letting “them out of your sight.” This ex-offender is currently going through therapy and is speaking out because he wants to help parents.

For more information see Fox11AZ.com

Back to Top

Fear of Cost Prevented “Real Time” Tracking of Sex Offenders

October 31, 2005

Last week, Iowa reviewed its new sex offender law enabling officials to track sex offenders with digital bracelets. During the review, the legislative committee was shocked to learn that the bracelets did not track in “real time.”

Governor Tom Vilsack’s original proposal covered constant supervision, but the committee faltered when told how much the plan would cost. Vilsack asserts that the committee was fully aware that the amount they were willing to spend would not cover the amount needed for real time surveillance. He also assures that if the committee were to decide to purchase more expensive equipment, he would be more than willing to sign the plan. 

Back to Top

The Need for Pedophile-Free Zones Questioned

October 26, 2005

Phillipsburg, NJ has run into opposition as it attempts to pass a pedophile-free zone ordinance. The wife of a convicted sex offender contests the constitutionality of the ordinance, saying that it will violate not only her husband’s, but her civil rights as well. Speaking under anonymity, the woman also complains of the restrictions placed on her husband by Meagan’s Law.  

Although officials cite the high relapse rate among sex offenders as the main reason for the predator-free zones, opposition questions the validity of the argument. City leaders such as Terrence M. Wall, Keansburg’s borough manager, state that the legislation creates a rightful barrier between sex offenders and children. Wall insists that as this is a crime that cannot be recompensed, those who have raped a child have lost their rights.

Various boroughs and townships throughout New Jersey already have sex offender-free zones in action, and they have been met with enormous popularity. When weighed against the few it would inconvenience, it appears that the public has found protecting children more important.        

For more information see The Express-Times

Back to Top

Society’s Duty to Protect Children

October 26, 2005

Australia’s 44-year-old Leon Wicks was given a sentence of five years with three years non-parole for pleading guilty to having sex with a child prostitute in Thailand. During sentencing, the Australian judge cited society’s duty to protect children “no matter what country they live in.”

The crown is now appealing the sentence, hoping to get a harsher prison term to set a precedent for protecting children from sex offenders. 

Back to Top

Convicted Sex Offender Fights to Keep His Newborn

October 21, 2005

The newborn baby of a convicted sex offender came into an unstable world on Tuesday as child welfare services arrived with a warrant to seize the child 24 hours after its birth. Father DaiShin WolfHawk and mother Melissa WolfHawk would not give the baby over to officials and are shocked at the county's actions. 

Schuylkill County Children and Youth Services were given the warrant due to the danger posed to the child by family circumstances. DaiShin WolfHawk pled guilty to rape and sodomy in 1983 under an assumed name. County officials have also procured a parole report depicting that DaiShin sexually abused his daughter in addition to a doctor's report detailing Melissa WolfHawk's history of drug abuse and prostitution.

The couple denies the aforementioned claims and is currently fighting in court with the aid of the American Civil Liberties Union to keep their child, whose name they will not disclose. 

For more information see WashingtonPost.com and NEPA News

Back to Top

Sex Offender and Lawyer Label Lengthy Sentence for Second Convictions "Cruel"

October 21, 2005

On Thursday Corbett LeGrand was sentenced to 25 years-to-life for his second sex offender conviction by Judge Alan Hedegard. LeGrand and his lawyer Greg La Forge claim that the lengthy sentence is "cruel and unusual" and are working on an appeal.

LeGrand was convicted two years ago of molesting a 13-year-old girl in the back of her stepfather's car. La Forge attempted to get this previous conviction dismissed based on new evidence and claims of innocence, but to no avail. Judge Hedegard says that California state law presented him with no choice but to give LeGrand a double sentence for this second crime of assaulting and molesting another teenage girl. LeGrand must serve 21 years before becoming eligible for parole.   

For more information see Hollister Free Lance

Back to Top

Oprah Recognizes MapSexOffenders.com

October 19, 2005

After Oprah’s show entitled “Kidnapped by a Pedophile: The Shasta Groene Tragedy,”Oprah’s website featured links to related websites. One of the featured websites was MapSexOffenders.com, which provides useful information to help protect children. Oprah has recently launched a campaign against sex offenders, featuring wanted offenders on her show and offering a reward to those who aid law enforcement in the capture of the offender.

For more information see Oprah’s Website

Back to Top

Oprah Speaks Out

October 12, 2005

Within a week of beginning a campaign to capture sex offenders, Oprah has had not one, but two successes. Within 48 hours after offering a reward for their capture, fugitives William C. Davis and Niles Scott were apprehended.

Davis has been evading the FBI by living under his brother's identity for a year since being convicted of molesting three boys and failing to register as a sex offender. Davis was also convicted of child molestation in 1992. Katie Miller, the woman responsible for Davis’ capture, told ABC that he made his first call from jail to berate her.

The second offender, Niles Scott, was captured in Belize after fleeing from capture for two years for the sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl. His final charges added up to rape, kidnapping, and unlawful flight.

Both fugitives have been extradited to the states they were convicted in and are awaiting charges.

Oprah has and will pay $100,000 to every one who leads to the capture of these sexual predators. Why do it? Oprah says it's personal: “ The children of this nation are being stolen, raped, tortured and killed by sexual predators who are walking right into your homes. I have had enough. With every breath in my body and you by my side, we are going to move heaven and earth to stop an evil that's been going on for far too long.”

For more information see The Plain Dealer, Mercury News, and Oprah's Website.

Back to Top

Cyber Safety for Florida and New York

October 10, 2005

According to a 2001 U.S. Department of Justice study, one in five youths has received a sexual approach or solicitation over the Internet. In response to this alarming fact, Volusia County in Florida is focusing efforts to catch sex offenders using the Internet to lure children. Andy Cotton, sheriff’s investigator, goes undercover posing as a child to trap and incriminate sexual predators on the Internet. In addition, Cotton aids investigators in shutting down web sites containing child pornography. As part of the Internet Crimes Against Children, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement provides equipment and instruction for 37 police departments. More than 130 arrests were made across the state of Florida after the first year of the program.

In New York, Governor Pataki is taking action to educate parents, politicians, police, and children about Internet safety. October 20, 2005 is the date set for New York State’s 1st Annual

Cyber Security Awareness Conference entitled “Protecting Our Children On the Internet.” Speakers include William F. Howard, First Deputy Secretary to the Governor; Mr. Howard Schmidt, Former White House Cyber Security Advisor to President Bush; and Ms. Janice Grieshaber, Executive Director of The Jenna Foundation for Non-Violence, Inc., among others.

For more information see http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/volusia/orl-vcybercop1005oct10,0,7194331.story?coll=orl-news-headlines-volusia and http://www.cscic.state.ny.us/security/csaconf05/

Back to Top

Sex Offender Ban Debated by Task Force

The state of Washington is debating the need for the law banning offenders of child-related sex crimes from living within 880 feet of schools. The ban is set to end one year from its creation in July of 2005.

Members of the state task force do not feel that the ban stops much crime, but they do see the value in making citizens feel safer. State Rep. Jim Clements, the sponsor of the measure, says that the "protection zones" are set to supplement the public notifications system that is not always sufficient for true awareness.

Opposition to the ban claims that more public education efforts are a better option for increasing public safety. However, Clements, a co-chairman of the state Legislature's Sex Offender Management Joint Task force asserts that substance is what citizens need.

The strongest current opposition comes from the American Civil Liberties Union, which believes that the law is unconstitutional and that it could actually hinder efforts to track sex offenders. Some state task force members also believe that the state should be working on improving the sex offender notification practices rather than enforcing protection zones.

Others feel that simply creating "safe zones" is not enough to protect citizens and fear that keeping these laws as the sole means of awareness will lull families into a false sense of security. Such proponents have asked for a county-by-county survey of procedures for making people aware that a sex offender has moved into their area.

For more information see:

Back to Top

Pataki Keeps Sex Offenders Off The Streets Using State Law

Gov. George E. Pataki is now using the involuntary civil commitment law, which allows officials to confine mentally unstable people who pose a threat to society, to protect citizens from predators. Pataki has directed authorities to confine five convicted sex offenders to mental health facilities in the last month. The executive director of the New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services, Harvey Rosenthal, argues that sex offenders do not fall under the involuntary civil confinement law, as sex crimes can not be defined as the result of "mental abnormality." He feels that Pataki's actions abuse the mental health system and show disregard for its limited resources.

Kevin Quinn, a spokesperson for the governor, asserts that sex predators are a threat to the public and thus fall under the involuntary civil confinement law. Pataki's desired bill would expand the term "mental abnormality" to include violent sexual predators, which would assist authorities by removing sex offenders off the street in larger numbers.  Mr. Quinn stated that there are currently more the 5,000 violent sex offenders in the state prison system. Under Pataki's new policy, only 32 of these offenders have been evaluated, and except for the five sent to the Manhattan Psychiatric Center , the rest were released onto the streets.

For more information see:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/04/nyregion/04offender.html/04offender.html

Back to Top

Operation "Trick-nor-Treat" Keeps Sex Offenders Away From Children
"Operation Trick-nor Treat" is a program in Virginia initiated to keep convicted sexual predators away from children. It keeps sex offenders away from home on Halloween evening by requiring them to attend a meeting.

The Virginia Department of Corrections also runs "Operation Porch Lights Out," which requires sex offenders to turn off their porch lights to keep children from knocking on their doors. These programs are enforced on a regional basis and are left up to individual probation and parole officers to decide if they will participate or not.

For more information see:
http://www.wtkr.com/Global/story.asp?S=3936375

Back to Top

Digitally Tracking Sex Offenders

Sex offenders are more likely to relapse than any other convict, according to a U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics report. In the light of this information, many states are considering harsher registration and tracking laws for sex offenders. Maryland is considering putting global positioning anklets on released sex offenders. This would enable officials to track sex offenders even if they move out of state. Although convenient, this measure is also costly, reaching about $10 million a year. Using GPS to track sex offenders has already been instated in Florida.

Currently Maryland is attempting to initiate legislation which would establish constant surveillance of high profile sex offenders for the duration of the offender’s life. This, like using GPS, would be a costly endeavor, but many hope it would reduce the chance of repeated offenses.

For more information see:
http://www.herald-mail.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=121167&format=html