WA- Everett landlord won't rent to more sex offenders

8-28-2008 Washington:

A man who houses sex offenders in Everett says he is "getting out of the business" after receiving threats, including one sent to the Herald in Everett on Friday. A man who houses sex offenders in rental properties in Everett says he is "getting out of the business" after receiving threats.

Mike Westford, who owns 11 houses in the Bayside neighborhood and whose business partner recently purchased a neglected mansion in the Riverside neighborhood, said in a letter this week to Everett officials and the state Department of Corrections (DOC) that he and his family had received repeated threats.

He said he would take no new referrals of convicted sex offenders from the DOC and blamed officials with the city and the DOC for not educating the community about the need for sex-offender housing and not coming to his defense.

Westford declined to comment Wednesday but said he would issue a statement Friday.

Westford's business partner, Alex Thole, said he and Westford would continue to rent to their current tenants but would not accept any new placements from the DOC.

"We've been vilified, threatened and had our characters attacked. We're not going to take it anymore," Thole said.

CA- Upland man was incorrectly identified as a convicted molester

Hummm, so now the jury pool has been tainted. Can he get a fair trial?

8-23-2008 California:

The U.S. attorney in L.A. apologizes for describing Evan Craig Stephens, who was arrested this week on child porn charges, as a convicted molester and registered sex offender.

A spokesman for the United States attorney's office in Los Angeles on Friday apologized for incorrectly describing an Upland man arrested earlier this week on child pornography charges as a convicted child molester and registered sex offender.

Evan Craig Stephens, 36, has no prior convictions for child exploitation, said U.S. attorney spokesman Thom Mrozek in a statement released Friday. "On Wednesday, I issued a press release that incorrectly identified an Upland man as a convicted child molester and a registered sex offender. This information is not correct," Mrozek said in the statement. Stephens "does not have any prior child exploitation offenses," Mrozek said.

"I apologize to Mr. Stephens and to you for this error," Mrozek said in a statement released to media organizations.

Stephens, who is scheduled to go on trial Oct. 14 in federal court, was among seven Southern California men arrested Tuesday on suspicion of possessing child pornography after an eight-month investigation by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

The investigation led to charges being filed against 52 people for allegedly using peer-to-peer computer networks to exchange graphic images and videos.

Mrozek did not immediately respond to calls seeking further comment on the matter. ..New Source.. by Amanda Covarrubias, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

Media Information

To The Media:

Questions about this blog compilation are frequently raised. The compilation is explained below, these are stories written by journalists and in all honesty we have nothing to add. The only credit due, if anyone, is due the journalists that wrote the original stories and they are listed at the end of each story.

We do not do interviews simply because we want no credit, the topic of the compilation is most difficult for anyone to handle. We have a great respect for what the media does and this is a philanthropic work for legislatures and public servants who may be able to save lives.

Thank you, have a great day and a better tomorrow.

With that said:

The Consequences, of sex laws, sex crimes and accusations!
Suicides, Deaths, Murders, Revenge and Vigilantism.

This compilation is a legislative and public servant reminder, that something needs to be done; this is not a memorial. The consequences that sometimes occur need to be addressed as strongly as prevention, prosecution and punishment of sex offenses. When lives hang in the balance, ignoring the issues and consequences -even subtly-, is not an answer. Ignorance, of laws and issues, is not permitted for an offender, nor should it be for legislatures or public servants. We are quite sure this is not a complete list, but just those we have been advised of.

PA- Child rapist Feigley returns to Harrisburg home

8-18-2008 Pennsylvania:

Convicted child rapist George Feigley was greeted by protesters in front of his Harrisburg home when he arrived there shortly after 6:30 p.m. Friday, about nine hours after he was released from the state Correctional Institution at Laurel Highlands in Somerset County. He was set free at 9 a.m.

Protesters pointed Feigley out when he was seen in the front passenger seat of a gold Saturn station wagon as it passed his Derry Street home. Many of the protesters, mostly children, followed the car as it turned onto South 13th Street and then turned right onto Thompson Street, a small street behind Feigley's home.

Feigley and his female driver were able to drive up their driveway after two Harrisburg police officers helped to clear a path between the protesters.

Police know this protest violates the registry law and they do nothing.
Earlier in the day, about a dozen people -- and several news crews -- were staked out at 13th and Derry streets, to see when Feigley would return to his home in the neighborhood.

Feigley, 68, is a convicted sex offender who ran a school that authorities called a sex cult, which he started in the early 1970s in his Derry Street home. It's the same house to which he plans to move after his release from prison.

Feigley, who raped three girls, not only is free, but he is also free from monitoring. That means no probation or parole, and no Megan's Law, even though authorities still consider him to pose a danger to the public.

Angel Fox, who would be Feigley's next-door neighbor, organized today's protest along with a petition drive to prevent his return. She learned about Feigley from an article in Sunday's Patriot-News.

Authorities say they can't keep Feigley in prison or restrict where he lives.

"It's been affecting me since I read about what he did," Fox said this week, echoing comments from several neighbors. "I mean, what happens when I'm not at home? Do I have to worry about what's happening with my kids? I have to try to do something."

At the protest, people passed out literature about how to avoid being a victim of a sexual crime and carried signs saying, among other things, "Don't let him hurt again." The protest was quiet and peaceful, with participants talking among themselves and to passers-by, with police officers patrolling.

Among those joining the protest were Jennifer Storm, executive director of the Dauphin County Victim/Witness Assistance Program, and Tina L. Nixon from the YWCA of Greater Harrisburg. They said they were on hand to support Fox and the community. ..News Source.. by The Patriot-News

PA- Protest: Marietta picket targets sex offenders

8-9-2008 Pennsylvania:

The message was clear. Protesters waved signs proclaiming, "Hit the road," "Not welcome in Marietta" and "Show no love for sex offenders" Saturday morning outside the residence in which former state representative Tom Armstrong houses three sex offenders. Saturday's demonstration was the second outside Armstrong's house, located at 704 East Market St. in Marietta, which has been a hotbed of debate for weeks. One of the protesters' main concerns is the safety of children in town.

"I'm here because I have grandchildren," Mary Smith said. "I think it's too close to our schools and our bus stop."

Tracy Portner agreed, saying she was picketing "just to get these wrong people out of Marietta and keep our women and children safe."

Mark Jardel, who lives just down the street from the house, said, "My issue is that it takes away from the community, and there are a lot of children around town. Who's monitoring these guys?"

Richard Owen, who served a 20-year prison sentence for rape, said there is accountability at the house, including a sign out sheet. The other two men are Paul Studdard, convicted of possessing child pornography on computers at Millersville University, where he was formerly employed, and Richard Barker, who served time for aggravated indecent assault of a minor.

"We go nowhere unless we tell each other where we're going," he said, adding that they all attend weekly meetings and receive counseling.

Owen said Armstrong really stepped up in providing these people housing. "The system demands approved housing for sex offenders," he said, but provides little help in finding adequate residence.

The protesters want them out anyway.