Authorities investigating arson, burglary at Washington County sex offender treatment facility

9-22-2013 Oregon:

A Saturday morning arson in unincorporated Washington County occurred at a residential sex offender treatment facility, according to law enforcement officials.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office started a criminal investigation in response to the arson and reported burglary on the 4300 block of Southwest 109th Avenue near Beaverton.

Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue crews responded to a fire at "The Center for Behavioral Intervention" at 8:42 a.m., according to a release. The home was converted to a sex offender treatment center, officials said. TVF&R handed the investigation over to the sheriff's office after quickly determining the fire was intentional.

Firefighters quickly put out the blaze. Nobody was injured, but investigators determined at least one person broke into the home, taking money and other items from the home, according to a release.

Investigators found evidence of fire accelerant on the scene as well. Nobody was at the business at the time of the fire.

Sheriff's officials continue to investigate the incident. ..Source.. by Andrew Theen

Sex offenders landlord slapped with code violations

7-28-2012 Florida:

ORLANDO, Fla. — WFTV learned a landlord who is housing a dozen offenders in Orlando was slapped with code enforcement violations for not having proper permits, among other issues.

Randy Young houses the offenders at two homes along West Concord Street, near Orange Blossom Trail.

He told WFTV's Ryan Hughes he feels he's being targeted because his tenants are sexual offenders.

The modest Orlando neighborhood has seemingly turned into a haven for registered sexual offenders and predators.

Twelve offenders live in two homes alone.

Just last week, Orlando Code Enforcement paid a visit and slapped the homeowners with code violations.

"They're being picked on specifically because of the label of sexual offender," said Young.

Young said he feels his tenants are being targeted after neighbors recently complained about the influx of offenders.

"I actually came there and blocked their entrance and told them they don't have the right to enter. That's correct that they need a search warrant.

Reward offered for information about man beaten in Newark

8-7-2012 New Jersey:

3 suspects called victim a child molester during attack

NEWARK -- A reward was offered for information about a Newark man hospitalized for months after he was beaten May 14 on a path between Sherwood Downs South and Ditmore Stroll.

The 59-year-old man was walking from a North 21st Street store to his Churchill Downs Road home when he was approached by three men who stole money from his wallet and threw him to the ground, Newark police Sgt. Scott Snow said.

During the attack, the three men taunted him, calling him a child molester, Snow said. The 59-year-old man told police he did not know how the men found out he is a convicted sex offender, but a notice was sent to his neighbors when he moved to the area, Snow said.

He was convicted of felonious sexual penetration from a 1991 case, according to court records.

The suspects laughed at him and threatened to harm him further if he called police, Snow said.

He initially called his mother, who had not heard from her son since May 13 -- Mother's Day -- and had not seen him since May 11, Snow said. On May 16, a squad was sent to his home.

The man had bruises on his pelvis, head, neck, throat and other body parts. He was using an oxygen mask and had trouble speaking, Snow said.

He was flown to Columbus by emergency medical helicopter and later transferred to the Regency Hospital, which handles "catastrophic injuries or illnesses" that require longer stays, according to its website.

Licking County Crime Stoppers is offering up to $1,000 for information about the crime. The three suspects were described as white men in their early 20s and taller than 5-foot-9. They wore hooded sweatshirts and two had sideburns and goatees, Snow said.

Anyone with information about crime should call Licking County Crime Stoppers at 740-349-6888 or 1-888-488-9058. A coding system protects the identity of the caller but allows for the reward to be issued later. ..Source.. by Jessie Balmert Advocate Reporter

Bizarre Murder Plot Foiled By Tosa Police

1-8-2013 Wisconsin:

An East Troy man stands accused of attempted murder of a Wauwatosa resident after a caller warns police that a truck has been circling his block — and officers find the driver has hatched a strange plot to kill an old friend.

An East Troy man's obsession with protecting children and his delusion that an old friend was a child sex offender led him to plan to murder the man, according to Wauwatosa police, as detailed in a criminal complaint.

Daniel G. Plevak, 54, was charged Thursday in Milwaukee County Circuit Court with attempted first-degree intentional homicide and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Although Plevak never actually confronted his intended victim, the complaint shows, police believe he had the ways, the means and the clear intent to commit the crime of murder, that he was about to do so, and that their actions stopped its commission.

Ex-convicts complain of treatment after their release from jail at legislative hearings

1-16-2013 New Hampshire:

Supporters of the rights of criminal offenders turned out at legislative hearings on procedural matters Tuesday to complain about the way they are treated after serving their time.

The House Criminal Justice Committee heard testimony on bills to study the state's use of the sex offender registry and to add another means of notifying victims that an offender is up for parole.

Offenders complained that the sex offender registry overstates offenses in some instances, while parole advocates said that hearings sometimes amount to a new trial on the effect on victims.

The committee heard testimony at a hearing on a bill to establish a five-member study committee. The panel would be charged with looking into the way the sex offender registry is used and whether changes should be made in to provisions determining under what circumstances offenders can ask the courts to remove them from the registry.

The state registry provides for classification of sex offenders into general categories ranked according to the severity of the crime on which the offender was convicted. The hearing brought out a handful of sex offenders who testified of the hardships that being on the registry present, and supporters of strong requirements for registration of people convicted of sex crimes and its impact on their ability to obtain employment.

Laurie Peterson, a Manchester-area resident, told the panel that her husband was required to register as a tier 3 offender and said she knew firsthand of the difficulties that registration pose for the families of people convicted of sex crimes.

"Registration laws do not just target the offenders; they target everyone living in the home with the offender," Peterson said. "His or her children, his or her spouse, and even sometimes the victims of sexual abuse all carry the burden that public ...continued... by New Hampshire Union Leader

Man cited for harassing sexual predator

1-18-2013 Wisconsin:

Delavan Police Capt. Jim Hansen said he's trying to keep "a classic neighborhood dispute" involving a convicted child sex offender from escalating into something larger.

The sex offender, Herman C. Funk, lives near a school bus stop in the 100 block of South Fifth Street.

Joseph Lers lives two doors down and said he's concerned when he sees Funk step onto his front porch and glare at children when they get off the school bus and walk in front of Funk's house.

Funk claims Lers is targeting him unnecessarily, and he filed a complaint with Delavan police.

Hansen says he's trying to keep the peace over what started with a veterinarian's $50 bill for euthanizing a cat. That's about the only thing most parties agree on.

"Herman took the cat to the vet and had the bill sent to my neighbors," Lers said. "I told him that was a rotten thing to do. That's why he's saying I harassed him, and that's why he filed a complaint."

Vigilantism: Our definitions clarified

No Date:

• Vigilantism: We have explained exactly what we consider vigilantism in the sections below:

  1) Vigilantism;
  2) Vigilantism by Media;
  3) Vigilantism by law; and
  4) Vigilantism by Police.

  In all we are speaking of an attack against some who was thought to have committed or was previously convicted of a sex crime of some sort.
  
  Vigilantism: Once the actual crime is over, then it is up to the laws of the day to punish for the criminal acts. Now, any actions (generally attacking type) towards persons convicted or accused of crimes, however subtle, which are not part of the court's sentence, carried out by someone who is not under the sentencing court's jurisdiction executing the judges sentence, gets into the world of vigilantism. Persons who exact their own form of personal hate and harm, however subtle, to those who have committed crimes or are accused of crimes, cross the line of being a vigilante.
  
  This definition EXCLUDES the natural feelings of a victim (and those close to the victim) which result from the crime; certainly these people are not vigilantes, unless they then act illegally. Remember, it is every person's constitutional right, "to remain silent, and not act." You are not required to love thy neighbor! See: "Vigilantes: Coming soon to a community near you," In the News: Forensic psychology, criminology, and psychology-law by Karen Franklin, PhD
  
  Vigilantism by Media: There is no problem with the media reporting on issues related to offenders, that falls under freedom of speech and the press. However there comes a time when the media crosses that line such as, naming all registrants individually when such is not necessary to raise the topic of the report. This is when the media becomes a vigilante, when they ignore the subtle consequences of their actions for the sake of sensationalism or ratings.
  
  When media reports cause harm to innocent folks, and even registrants can be innocent, and their families are always innocent. When the media ignores the totality of the circumstances knowing full well that those associated with registrants will be harmed by their report, then the media becomes a vigilante.
  
  No excuse of freedom of speech or press, or right of the public to know, will redress the harm caused, or the fact that the report is vigilantism. Interposing safety is only permitted when the rights of all who are the subject of the report, are protected, and safety is not being used as a pretext!
  
  

  Example: Media Vigilantism

  Here is a paper that has not done an ounce of research on crimes committed on Halloween, if they did they would know, there isn't a single recorded crime occurring on Halloween, against trick-and-treators, since the one in 1979 by someone who was not a former sex offender (Source: National Center for Missing and Exploited Children)
  
  see also: Chaffin, M., Levenson, J.S., Letourneau, E., & Stern, P. (2009). How safe are trick-or-treaters? An analysis of sex crimes on Halloween. Sexual Abuse: Journal of Research & Treatment 21(3). There is absolutely no reason to print names again, esp. when they are on the state registry too. The paper knows it will harm those registrants and their family, if any.
  

  Why we’re picturing sex offenders (10-22-2010 The Northest Georgian.com)
  
  Today marks the first time The Northeast Georgian has published the names, addresses and charges of all registered sex offenders currently documented in Habersham County.
  
  It’s unfortunate that a Sex Offender Registry is necessary, but Habersham County currently has 59 residents registered.
  
  We’re publishing this information about sex offenders because we believe an informed public is a safer public.
  
  The information we’re providing, on Pages 10-11A of today’s edition, is available online at the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office website, habershamsheriff.com, and on the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s website.
  
  Still, we believe it is important to make our readers aware of those living in our community who have committed crimes that led to them being placed on the Georgia Sex Offender Registry.
  
  October is a time when residents visit the homes of more neighbors, often through trick-or-treating, which is why we chose now to run this information.

  
  Vigilantism by Law: We Recognize that legislators can make laws based on almost any hypothetical basis, and often do, especially with sex offender legislation. However, there comes a time when the current evidence proves their hypothetical basis, false. If the law is still enacted despite violations of constitutional protections, then we consider that, vigilantism by law! See WISCONSIN -v- CONSTANTINEAU 400 US 433 (1971). The societal deprivations of these laws, which result in public postings, clearly violate the U.S. Constitution.
  
  Examples are:
  

  1) Compelling all FSOs to provide the government KNOWLEDGE of their online identifiers (e-mail addresses, personal phone numbers, etc. everything that is found in the FSOs HOME) under the penalty of a prison or jail sentence, violates the Fourth (4th) Amendment; and Federal Privacy Rights; or,
  
  2) Forcing FSOs to move from their homes if they reside within xx feet of certain places where children might congregate, even for 5-20 minutes only (bus stops). Yet, considering that living next door to them is fine.
  
  Both, under the penalty of jail or prison, and without a hearing despite constitutional protections; or,
  
  3) Enacting a law and refusing to change it when lawmakers know it is illegal, example: requiring prison inmates to provide a address where they will live 45 days before release. Then when they do and that address violates state or a local residency law, fail to tell that inmate that the address violates law. Then when the inmate is released, immediately arrest them for violating the residency law, and charge them with a felony. Such was the Alabama way (Now changed). Such practices are a clear abuse of the legislative process by public servants.
  
  In short, when the overwhelming evidence proves, that a law is enacted for some other purpose than a logical hypothetical basis which prevents public harm, and the lawmakers choose to ignore evidence and the logical consequences of the law, and default to "well its the law," there is no doubt such laws are legalized vigilante acts. They are, end runs around constitutional protections. Legislators know that. Because of this constant false attack on sex offenders, sex offenders no longer have any representation in the political process.
  
  4) Political speeches which place ALL sex offenders in a false light before the public eye, and endanger them and their families. See comments by U.S. Supreme court Justices Souter and Ginsberg on "Libel" HERE
  
  5) Congress enacted the Adam Walsh Act, and one of its many provisions is:
  
  

  

  
  Several states have chosen to NOT INCLUDE that warning in their specific state registry. So, when State Lawmakers fail to protect those on the registry, should we also call that blatant or subtle Vigilantism?
  
  Then there are those states who have included it, but HIDE IT from public view or PUT IT SOMEWHERE the public is not likely to see it. Is that blatant or subtle Vigilantism?
  
  6) Lawmakers, Federal and State, have FAILED to enact laws to protect registry information. Some states have sold copies of the registry and others have declared registry information "Public Information."
  
  The FAILURE to protect registry information has allowed unscrupulous persons to use the information in ways that result in harm to registrants, including those who are no longer required to register. Some registrants, and former registrants, are being subjected to money schemes to remove their information (old and outdated) from COPIES of registries made by unscrupulous persons earlier in time. This amounts to extortion permitted by law (i.e., the failure of lawmakers to act to fix the problem they created). see Sex-offender data is used to collect money and intimidate and Sex Offender Law Reformers Sue Websites That Post Personal Details, Demand Cash to Remove
  
  Hacking into registries is a crime, and bypassing state installed CAPTCHA security schemes, allows access to data (violating federal privacy laws) and lawmakers know it is going on and do nothing about it. i.e., failure to act. Registrants, former registrants and even the media have made lawmakers aware of this, and nothing is done resulting in further harm to registrants and their families.
  
  So, again Lawmakers fail to protect registry information, and we call that blatant Vigilantism?

Vigilantism by Police: The essence of the acts by police which we have found to be vigilantism are: Refusal to act when they should (i.e., Chief did not like the person), acting when they shouldn't (i.e., personally punishing a person), acting in -excessive ways- which are normally deemed legal (one ex: excessive home checks). The best way to see what we mean is to review cases we have tagged "Vigilantism by Police."

...

History of Vigilante Definitions

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Verbal Vigilantism? You be the judge.

No Date:

Vigilantism; Our definition:

Once the actual crime is over, then it is up to the laws of the day to punish for the criminal acts. Now, any actions towards persons convicted or accused of crimes, however subtle, which are not part of the sentence carried out by someone who is not under the sentencing court's jurisdiction executing the judges sentence, gets into the world of vigilantism. Persons who exact their own form of personal hate and harm, however subtle, to those who have committed crimes or are accused of crimes, cross the line of being a vigilante. Remember, it is every person's constitutional right, "to remain silent," and you are not required to love thy neighbor! Finally, if you close to act towards your neighbor when you do not have to, then you have crossed that vigilante line.

Comments made by public figures, likely they wish they hadn't, or are glad they did? Verbal / Political Vigilantism? You decide!

10) by a Florida legislator, Sen. Nancy Argenziano (se also #5 below), on bills in the Florida legislature which legislators are not agreeing on. April 2007:

Sen. Nancy Argenziano said those bills likely will die because of their "reactionary" nature. She said removing predators from a neighborhood might cause the predators to go into hiding.

"If you make it so hard on predators, they won't register, and we're going to have a harder time with knowing where they're going to live," she said.

"There's only a certain amount you can do besides taking them out and shooting them in the street - which is illegal." Quoted from: "Many Sex Predator Bills Run Into Resistance"

9) Georgia: by House Majority Leader Jerry Keen 8-16-2005:

House Republicans want to keep a closer eye on the state's worst sex offenders by mandating that they wear electronic tracking devices as long as they live in Georgia.

"If it becomes too onerous and too inconvenient, they just may want to live somewhere else," House Majority Leader Jerry Keen (R-St. Simons Island) said in a recent interview. "And I don't care where, as long as it's not in Georgia." [[[[snip]]]]

"I don't have a problem with [electronic monitoring] because of the aggravated nature of this crime," Keen said. "I'm more interested in the rights of the 8- or 10-year-old child whose innocence has been taken away from them than the rights of any people convicted of these crimes." Quoted from "Law to track sex offenders studied" for the rest of the story.

8) Florida: by County Commissioner Randy Harris 6-16-2005:

A county commissioner in Central Florida has offered a controversial proposal of sending the area's worst sex offenders out of the United States to Mexico, according to a Local 6 News report. Phone calls have bombarded Marion County Commissioner Randy Harris' office after he voiced his idea of banishing American sex offenders, "The American prison system is not a deterrent to these serious crimes," Harris said.

Harris said the answer is more severe punishment, Local 6 News reported.

He said the United States could strike a deal with Mexico and send the worst offenders to harsher Mexican prisons where it is more economical to house them, Local 6 News reported. "We can pay under a contractual agreement the cost in Mexico and again I'm sure it would be a huge savings to the American taxpayer," Harris said.

The idea is far from being widely accepted, Local 6 News reported. An unidentified woman told Local 6 News that she welcomes sex offenders into her mobile home park. Quoted from news: "Commissioner: Send Sex Offenders To Mexico" for the rest of the story.

7) Florida: by County Commissioner Randy Harris 4-23-2005:

The molester is dead and the community is divided -- over whether their condemnation killed a man that many had wished would vanish anyway. [[[snip]]] SIGNS OPPOSED Some said that Claxton had served his time and posed no threat. Some opposed the idea of signs, saying it would devalue their real estate and drum up fear. [[[snip]]]

The town is also fiercely debating how to manage its sexual offenders. Early this week, just before the Claxton fliers went up, Randy Harris, a county commissioner, urged that warning signs be posted in neighborhoods where convicted offenders live. ''I take no pleasure in hearing the report of anyone's death, even in this particular case,'' Harris said of Claxton's suicide. ``But I don't think we can go too far in providing information.''

Harris has found his strongest opponent in Marion County Sheriff Ed Dean, who believes warning signs would foster fear and violence. According to Dean, the county's 530-odd sexual predators are accounted for and have been visited by sheriff's deputies. Dean also said he plans to increase the frequency of such visits and notify people living within a mile of predators. ''I don't see what purpose signs would do, other than have an unintended consequence like this,'' said Dean. ``It creates hysteria.'' [[[snip]]]

Harris, for his part, said he would only strengthen his push to have warning signs posted in neighborhoods where sexual offenders lived. ''Real simple. There's been a suicide that occurred when we had 530 sex offenders in Marion County,'' said Harris. ``There are still 529.'' Quoted from "SEX OFFENDERS: Town torn over molester's suicide" for the rest of the story.

6) a Montana double header: by Rep. John Sinrud and Rep. Michael Lange:

A bill senators touted as a national model of a tough and smart way to both punish and treat sex offenders has been drastically changed by the House, and was approved Wednesday with more focus on punishment and less on treatment.

"Let's put the money where it should go, into prisons, not into the treatment of a sick freak who is going to get out of prison and rape again," said Rep. John Sinrud, R-Bozeman. "We don't need to throw good money after bad." ..........

An amendment from Sinrud that stripped a part of the bill that would have provided additional treatment for less dangerous sex offenders passed on a 51-49 vote. But much of the debate surrounding the amendment centered on whether the most dangerous sexual predators should receive treatment, which was originally part of the bill and was not changed by the amendment.

"The only place there ought to be reform is at the end of a rope," said Rep. Michael Lange, R-Billings. "If that sounds harsh, I don't care."

After the floor discussion, Sinrud clarified that he supports treatment for less dangerous sex offenders but doesn't think there is sufficient information to show it works for the most dangerous ones, who, he said on the floor, "need to be shot." Quoted from: "House alters sex offender bill to focus on punishment"

Seems like the focus here is on "money" and "punishment," but, what about "preventing crimes" so that there is NO next victim? Should these two remain in the legislture? Don't ask for my opinion! Yet, in the middle of this turmoil is a ray of light, hope, hope that there should not be a next victim:

"I don't know how anyone can argue that treatment doesn't work," said Bob Anez, a spokesman for the Department of Corrections. "It flies in the face of facts."

Give this man a cigar. Unfortunately, he is not the one who will vote for or against the bill, but he may in the next election!

5) by a Florida legislator, Sen. Nancy Argenziano, on the passage of the Lundsford Act in the Senate in April of 2001:

"The bill's sponsor, Sen. Nancy Argenziano, R-Dunellon, fought tears as she urged senators to vote for the bill named after the 9-year-old who lived in her district and told other sex offenders who prey on children that the bill was meant as a message to them: ``You better start fleeing the state because we're not going to put up with you anymore.'' Quoted From: Associated Press Release"

The bill was about increasing sentences for sex crimes. Well, who was she talking to, the ones who commit crimes, if so they are going to be brought back when caught anyway, so she must mean all other RSOs. Is this a "Get outa Dodge" comment? Strange how all Florida legislators IGNORE that, had they provided sex offender therapy for prison inmates the Lundsford murder, and others, may not have happened at all! Remember, Couey asked for help years before the Lundsford murder, and was laughed at, told go find it for yourself, when he could not afford it. Prior Governor stopped sex offender therapy in prison because of money. Hummmm, they have the money to lock people up for 25 plus years, after a crime is committed, but now enough money for therapy, before a crime is committed. What are their priorities?

4) an Oregon double header: by Rep. Kirk Pearson and Rep. John Ahern:

It now goes back to the Senate for concurrence. "We're going to take a good step in this state," said Rep. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe. "Porn can be extremely harmful in the wrong hands."


Rep. John Ahern, R-Spokane, said he wants the longest possible community protection zone -- miles from any population center. "Get those dudes out in the middle of the wheat fields, and a lot of people like to do bird hunting," he said. "Do I make myself clear?" Both quoted from news: "Series of sex offender bills approved by Legislature." For the rest of the story.

I cannot pass up the opportunity, my favorite, is about the porn, in the right hands it is NOT DANGEROUS? Whoa! The bill he is speaking about covers "Child Porn," obviously the newspaper made a mistake. With that said, does the Oregon Legislature have an ethics committee? Given the comments seems to be made in the context of legislative business. Do I make myself clear?

3) by Georgia's Rep. Jerry Keen on the horendous HB-1059 Residency Restrictions which has already resulted in the death of one child:

"My intent personally is to make it so onerous on those that are convicted of these offenses . . . they will want to move to another state," Georgia House Majority Leader Jerry Keen (R), who sponsored the bill, told reporters. Quoted from: "Some curbs on sex offenders called inhumane" For the rest of the story.

2) by John Walsh of America's Most Wanted TV show:

Calif., July 25 People who molest children should have chips embedded in the rectum that would explode if they violate their parole, "America's Most Wanted" star John Walsh told a photographer for Fox and father of two at Summer TV Press Tour 2006 as a couple dozen speechless TV critics looked on. Quoted from: "Summer Press Tour, Day 16: An Explosive Interview" For the rest of the story.

1) by Sen. Hatch of Utah, on the Nancy Grace show 7-16-2006, speaking about the Adam Walsh Act which was not yet enacted on that date:

SEN. ORRIN HATCH (R), UTAH: Well, the bill really puts the screws to those who are sexual predators, and you know, sexual offenders. You know, we have ... Quoted from: CNN Transcript of Nancy Grace show 7-16-2006. For the rest of the story.

And I thought the purpose was to protect children? Guess I was wrong. eAdvocate.

Greenfield man shot four times Saturday identified

9-7-2013 California:

Greenfield police identified the victim in Saturday morning’s shooting as 29-year-old Julio Rodarte, a registered sex offender, according to a public records search.

Rodarte was shot four times early Saturday morning, according to Greenfield police who say they they believe they’ll resolve the case in “the next couple of days.”

Officers responded just after 3 a.m. Saturday to the 1100 block of Oak Avenue, where they discovered the victim suffering three gunshot wounds to the lower extremities and one to this torso. He was flown to a San Jose facility for treatment of the non life-threatening injuries, Greenfield police Sgt. Fred Perez said.

The motive is unknown and investigators aren’t willing to put a gang-related tag on the case, Perez said.

He declined to release any suspect information citing the pending investigation.

A search of the National Sex Offender Registry shows Rodarte registered last in Greenfield for annoying or molesting a child under the age of 18. Monterey County Superior Court records show Rodarte has been arrested numerous times on criminal complaints in Greenfield, Salinas and Soledad since 2003. His most recent arrest was several weeks ago in Greenfield. ..Source.. by Allison Gatlin

Police: Peeping Tom shot while peering at nude woman in window

8-8-2012 Florida:

A Peeping Tom was shot while peering at a naked woman through a bedroom window, according to Altamonte Springs police.

A man caught the alleged peeper in the act at an apartment complex on Orienta Avenue in Altamonte Springs late Tuesday night, police said.

Officials said the alleged peeper, Rafael Mendoza-Hernandez, 39, told them he was shot in the right arm by another man who saw him looking into the window.

According to a report, the woman told police she was sleeping when she heard a voice outside her window asking several times, "What are you doing back here?" She told police she heard a small cry and then a gun shot, and then called 911.

When officers arrived at the scene, they did not find any one. However, police dispatch reported a gun shot victim being treated at Florida Hospital Altamonte, where officers found Mendoza-Hernandez.

When questioned by police, Mendoza-Hernandez initially stated that he was walking home from work and a black man tried to rob him and then shot him.

However, police said when further interviewed, Mendoza-Hernandez changed his story saying that he was behind the woman's building, looking into her window while he was peeing. Mendoza-Hernandez said he was approached by a black man who asked him what he was doing. He said the man then punched him and shot him in the arm.

Police said they have not found the shooter, but Mendoza-Hernandez said he will not press charges. ..Source.. by WFTV.com

Father who police say beat peeping Tom to face charges

9-6-2013 New Mexico:

Suspect still in hospital, will also be charged

The father who police said beat a man who was allegedly peering into his daughter's bedroom window will be charged.

They said the accused peeping Tom suspect was so badly beaten, he's in the hospital.

On Friday, outraged neighbors came to that father's defense.

"We've got a father, a young father, who could lose everything because of this one person," said Michael Salter.

That one person has been identified by police as 29-year old Dylan Maho, who police said was found naked around 2:30 a.m. Thursday morning outside a young girl's window, looking in, and making noises.

"It was moaning and groaning, that's what she thought she heard at first," said the girl's aunt Thursday. "She thought it was a cat."

"You can see that I'm starting to shake, and I'm not wanting to speak about it much more," Salter said.

The girl's father, Emilio Chavez III, his son, and his son's friend all ran after Maho.

Brandon Hughes Sentenced To Three Years In Prison For Attack On STAR $500,000 Lottery Winner And Registered Sex Offender Alec Ahsoak

5-20-2009 Alaska:

The Anchorage Daily News reports that 20-year-old Brandon Hughes, originally charged with first-degree assault, pleaded guilty to second-degree assault against Alec Ahsoak this week, and has been sentenced to three years in prison under the plea bargain.

Hughes will be eligible for both parole and time off for good behavior, which could cut his sentence by one third. Anchorage Superior Court Judge Patrick McKay accepted the plea and sentenced Hughes on Monday May 18th, 2009.

The victim, Alec Ahsoak, is a registered sex offender who won the $500,000 jackpot in a lottery held in January to benefit Standing Together Against Rape (STAR). As previously documented, Hughes encountered Ahsoak at the Fifth Avenue Mall in downtown Anchorage on January 13th, and asked him if he was the lottery winner, to which Ahsoak responded affirmatively.

Minutes later, the two encountered each other again a short distance from the mall, and Hughes attacked Ahsoak, hitting him on the head with a tire iron, striking him between eight and 10 times until Ahsoak threw a soda at his attacker and ran to Phyllis' Cafe for help.

Ahsoak was then transported to a local hospital to be treated for his injuries, which proved not be life-threatening or permanent. The attack seemed completely illogical at the time, but ADN revealed in today's story that Hughes actually knew a relative of one or more of Ahsoak's sexual abuse victims. So he decided to play "hero", get revenge, and got prison time instead.

Springfield man, detained; by neighbors, arrested on child-enticement charges as he is released from hospital

5-27-2009 Massachusetts:

SPRINGFIELD - Was it street justice that led to 61-year-old Randolph Barden's beating by neighbors earlier this month?

Or, was it some kind of vendetta on the part of the girls who accused him of attempting to lure them into his car with candy?

Barden's lawyer and a Hampden County assistant district attorney laid out their opposing views of Barden's beating in the McKnight neighborhood during his arraignment on child enticement charges Wednesday morning in Springfield District Court.

The beating that sent Barden to Baystate Medical Center for the better part of a week, occurred Friday night, according Sgt. John M. Delaney.

Officers Anthony Sowers and Craig Davis, dispatched to the area of Bay and Marion streets shortly after 9:30 p.m., discovered Barden laying on the ground suffering from injuries "and the whole neighborhood gathered around," Delaney said.

Sheriff: Inmate had been in fight (Jailed for Failure to Register as a Homeless Person)

5-19-2009 North Carolina:

MORGANTON - The inmate who apparently killed himself in jail on Thursday was recovering from injuries he received during a jail fight

Timothy Lee Hurd, 48, a Catawba County inmate at the Burke-Catawba District Confinement Facility, was pronounced dead just before 10 p.m. Thursday, said Burke County Sheriff John McDevitt, who also is the chairman of the board of directors for BCDCF.

Hurd was placed in a medical holding cell after being treated at a local hospital for fight injuries and to isolate him from other inmates.

Catawba County on May 12 charged Hurd with failing to register as a sexual offender.
McDevitt said some inmates "didn't like the fact he was a sex offender," and that's what led to the fight



When Hurd returned from the hospital he was given a bag with his belongings in it, McDevitt said. Hurd was able to take the bag with him in the cell, he said.

It was a string from that bag that Hurd apparently used to hang himself, said Maj.

David Pendley with the Burke County Sheriff's Office.

McDevitt said that at BCDCF as long as an inmate isn't combative or suicidal, he or she is allowed to keep shoe strings and that sort of thing. Hurd was not considered suicidal, McDevitt said. That's why Hurd was allowed to take the bag with him into the cell, he said.

Officers at the jail last saw Hurd alive at 9:01 p.m. reports said. The inmate was reading a Bible.

Fourteen minutes later jailers found him hanging from a sink in the cell. A suicide note was tucked into the Bible, according to officials. It appeared he first tried to hang himself from the ceiling, McDevitt said, but the string broke.

Jailers make rounds through the facility every 30 minutes, unless there has been a suicide threat, McDevitt said.

In that case, jailers check on inmates every 15 minutes, he said.

Hurd was not under suicide watch.

He did have a faint pulse when jailers found him, but was pronounced dead at 9:55 p.m., Pendley said.

McDevitt said it will be about six weeks before they receive results from an autopsy on Hurd.

Hurd was convicted in April, 2003 in Steuben County, New York on sexual offense charges.

When he was jailed, his address was listed as "homeless," he has a previous address of Beaverton, Oregon.

Hurd's son, McDevitt said, was contacted after Hurd's death.

The SBI is investigating the death. ..News Source.. by Sharon McBrayer | The News Herald

Graffiti targets businesses, sex offender

5-18-2009 New Hampshire:

PORTSMOUTH — At least seven Islington Street businesses were painted with grafitti over the weekend, some with messages targeting a sex offender from the area.

“Charly Paul rapes children 20 years get out of town,” someone painted on the side of Kline's furniture.

“Charly Paul is a monster,” was painted on one side of Olde Port Traders, while the other side was tagged with the message, “Charly Paul get out of our town.”

The messages target Charles Paul, 43, whose last known address is the Brewster Street rooming house, in the same area of the vandalized businesses. Paul was convicted of two counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault in Rockingham County Superior Court in February of 1987 for raping a North Hampton girl “and leaving her for dead,” retired Capt. Janet Champlin told the Herald last August.

“Obviously it’s somebody who has something to do with that case,” Police Lt. Rodney McQuate said Monday. “We’ll be looking at that.”



Police were notified about the first instance of graffiti at 8:04 a.m. Saturday when walls at Olde Port Traders, Robbins Auto and Kline's furniture were reported as vandalized. Shortly after, a message was found scrawled on a wall at Celebrity Sandwich reading, “Charly Paul rapes children.”

An officer then found a large symbol spray-painted on the side of the closed Getty station and more at Washburn Plumbing. Safeway Storage on McDonough Street was also tagged and all of the graffiti was made with black spray paint.

McQuate said police seek information from anyone else who owns property damaged by graffiti. He said if the person is caught, they will be charged with a felony because the cost of the damage exceeds $1,000.

Anyone with information is urged to call the anonymous Crime Stoppers line at 431-1199, or visit the Crime Stoppers Web site. ..News Source.. by Elizabeth Dinan

Blog Tips: Recent Updates and Changes to Our Blog

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6-28-2014:

Added new classification: If an incident occurs which is based on the status of the RSO, AND the RSO -in any way- retaliates or participates in an act of revenge, then the case is Flagged "Based on Status."

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October 16, 2013

We have posted all the articles which were in other blogs, and not this blog is complete. As time goes on we will post any new articles that are brought to our attention.

Have a great day and a better tomorrow.
eAdvocate

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September 2013:

As we make changes or other updates we will inform readers in our "Blog Tips" post, so stop back often and check it.

For now have a great day and a better tomorrow.
eAdvocate

..

Sign claims sex offender lurking at Rochester Community Center

6-17-2009 New York:

ROCHESTER — City officials say there is no indication anyone who uses the Community Center should feel unsafe despite signs an anonymous person posted there claiming a sex offender is "in our midst."

"It has come to our attention that at the Rochester Community Center we have a level 3 sex offender with a child under 13," says a sign posted in a first-floor stairwell at the center on Wakefield Street.

The sign does not specify whether the alleged sex offender is an employee of one of the many organizations that rent space at the facility. It is also unclear who posted the signs; the person gives no name, but provided an e-mail address for those wishing to provide "ideas, comments or solutions."

However, several e-mails sent to the address by a Foster's Daily Democrat reporter went unanswered this week.

City Manager John Scruton said no one he has spoken to has any idea who the sign references or who posted it, but said it may have resulted from a personal issue.



"It appears to be a personal vendetta against a particular individual and we have no idea who it's against," he said.

Would-be bounty hunters not backed up by Rhode Island law

6-12-2009 Rhode Island:

PROVIDENCE — The two “bounty hunters” who tangled with the police and ended up under arrest after they plied their new trade in Woonsocket by allegedly forcing their way into a woman’s apartment and handcuffing her have a problem with state law, the attorney general’s office said Thursday.

The problem? There is no law authorizing people to act as bounty hunters in Rhode Island, according to Michael J. Healey, spokesman for Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch.

“They’re vigilantes,” Healey said. “There is folklore about what bounty hunters are and what they do. These guys are not bounty hunters, because there is no law regulating bounty hunters in Rhode Island. They are subject to the same laws as everybody else — one of which is not breaking into and forcing your way into somebody’s home without the tenant’s or owner’s consent.”

Brandon Johnson, 36, and Ronald Cervantes, 39, both of 620 Elm St., Woonsocket, surrendered to the Woonsocket police Tuesday and were charged with assault and breaking and entering.

Johnson and Cervantes told Woonsocket Detective Thomas Calouro that they decided to start a company to apprehend fugitives. Calouro said they went to an online source called beabountyhunter.com and paid $235, for which they received bounty hunter badges and identification cards.



Then, according to the police, they went to the home of Rebecca Ball, 18, of 90 Blackstone St., Woonsocket, took her into custody and delivered her to the headquarters of the Cumberland police, where she was wanted on a warrant for failing to appear in court on an assault charge.

Johnson was released on bail pending a future court appearance.

Prosecutors, however, sought to have Cervantes held without bail because of his past criminal record and that he has been charged with being a probation violator.

But Superior Court Magistrate Patrick Burke granted bail — setting it at $10,000 with surety — meaning Cervantes would have to post $1,000 in cash to gain his release. It was not known whether he made bail.

Healey said Cervantes was convicted in 1991 of sexual assault in Westerly, after which he received a five-year suspended sentence. In 2002, Cervantes was convicted of first-degree sexual assault, also a Westerly case, he said.

In the latter case, Cervantes pleaded no contest and was sentenced to 20 years, with 8 to serve. Tracey Zeckhausen, spokeswoman for the Department of Corrections, said Cervantes was released on April 5, 2008, when credited with good-conduct time.

The sexual-assault conviction marked him as a sex offender who is required to register with the police department that has jurisdiction over his house or apartment.

Woonsocket police Lt. Eugene Jalette said Cervantes has complied with the registration law.

His next court appearance is scheduled for June 23 in Superior Court.

As for Ball, the woman who was handcuffed and delivered to the Cumberland police, it turns out that the warrant on which she was sought required her to pay $93 after her case was adjudicated.

“That’s a minor fee,” Healey said. “The approach they took was just a bit out of proportion, to understate it.” ..Source.. by Thomas J. Morgan, Journal Staff Writer

Second House For Sex Offenders Shut Down

6-3-2009 Kentucky:

I think it is time for the government to step in a quell this vigilantism, and do so with punishments that shock the conscience, 20--30 years in jail. Do that once and it will end!


For the second time since January, the Catholic Action Center in Lexington has been forced to shut down a house they were providing for registered sex offenders.

The home was in the Woodhill Neighborhood.

Four men, three of them sex offenders, were living there with their program monitor.

"They were harassed, rocks thrown at them, windows broken in," said Ginny Ramsey.

Ramsey is the Co-Director of the Catholic Action Center. She says they were forced to move the men on Sunday.

"They were fearing for their lives. People were threatening them over and over," Ramsey said.

This was no surprise to Ramsey. In January, the Catholic Action Center purchased a home on Detroit Avenue to house registered sex offenders, but before they could move in, the residents there petitioned.

Friend Request Denied

5-28-2009 New York:

When a Level 2 sex offender with a profile on Match.com asked out a fictitious single mom whose profile was created by Laura Ahearn, executive director of Parents for Megan’s Law, Ahearn contacted the company and demanded that he be banned from the popular dating website.

According to Match.com's "Terms of Agreement" ficitious personas are not permitted (see portions of TOA at end of this article); except possibly by law enforcement personnel. At what point do social networking sites allow ficititious accounts for vigilante purposes? Is/was Match.com a participant in this "sting-of-sorts" like Dateline was with Perverted Justice?

When a company representative refused to do anything more than force the sex offender to delete his profile—and only after Ahearn threatened to go public with the story—she knew that more had to be done.



In response to this case and others like it, Nassau County Legis. Dave Mejias (D-Farmingdale) introduced legislation that would prohibit sex offenders from using similarly popular social networking websites, such as Facebook, as well as online dating services like E-Harmony.

“There are too many horror stories of children being lured by already convicted sex offenders through these sites,” says Mejias.

Come on, children should not be on sites like Match.com, he is mixing issues.

If passed, the proposed law would make the use of these sites a violation for all sex offenders in the county. Those found in violation would be brought back to court and could be put behind bars.

If the legislation was passed (which includes UNRESTRICTED ACCESS to the National Crime Information Center records) then Parents for Megan's Law would be acting as a Law Enforcement agency (and checking every background of anyone who answers a fictitious Match.com account). Why not allow law enforcement to do what they are paid to do.

The bill would build upon The Electronic Security and Targeting of Online Predators Act (e-STOP), a New York State law that was enacted in May 2008 that banned Level 3 sex offenders from online social networking websites and mandated that sex offenders register Internet accounts and screen names with the State Division of Criminal Justice Services. E-STOP also allows networking sites, such as Facebook and MySpace, to screen or block a sex offender’s Internet messages. But critics say the e-STOP law only prohibited the highest-level offenders—those who victimized a minor—from these sites.

“Up to this point, the ban doesn’t apply to those who are below a Level 3 or those who have targeted an adult, which allows for a gaping loophole,” says Ahearn.

The proposed county law would also expand regulation to Internet venues previously unmentioned, such as dating sites, where offenders can still shop for victims.

“The Internet is the key for sex offenders to get into our homes,” says Ahearn. “There are more than 20 million people online dating, yet all of the large sites have no type of screening. You can be whoever you want to be. There are adults who even have photos of their children on these services. Nothing’s being done to ban these offenders or warn people of them.”

Gerard Cook, director of the Nassau County Probation Department and Chief Karen O’Callaghan of the Nassau County Police Department also expressed their support for the legislation at a press conference on Wednesday, May 27.

“We currently have 340 sex offenders on probation,” Cook says. “Sixty-five of those were proven to be involved in computer crime (Sex crime?). That doesn’t mean that the others were not.”

Neither Facebook nor Match.com responded to requests seeking comment.

“This law will go a long way in prohibiting offender’s attempts to use the Internet as their means for victimization,” Cook adds.

In the meantime, it’s up to parents to monitor their children’s online activities. ..Source.. by Michelle Regalado

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Excerpts of Match.com's Terms of Agreement
2. Eligibility. You must be at least eighteen (18) years of age and single or separated from your spouse to register as a member of Match.com or use the Website. Membership in the Service is void where prohibited. By using the Website, you represent and warrant that you have the right, authority and capacity to enter into this Agreement and to abide by all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
...

5. Non-commercial Use by Members. The Website is for the personal use of individual Members only and may not be used in connection with any commercial endeavors. Organizations, companies, and/or businesses may not become Members and should not use the Service or the Website for any purpose. Illegal and/or unauthorized uses of the Website, including collecting usernames and/or email addresses of members by electronic or other means for the purpose of sending unsolicited email and unauthorized framing of or linking to the Website may be investigated, and appropriate legal action will be taken, including without limitation, civil, criminal, and injunctive redress. Use of the Website is with the permission of Match.com, which may be revoked at any time, for any reason, in Match.com's sole discretion.
...

7. Your Interactions with Other Members. You are solely responsible for your interactions with other Members. You understand that Match.com does not in any way screen its Members, nor does Match.com inquire into the backgrounds of its Members or attempt to verify the statements of its Members. Match.com makes no representations or warranties as to the conduct of Members or their compatibility with any current or future Members. In no event shall Match.com be liable for any damages whatsoever, whether direct, indirect, general, special, compensatory, consequential, and/or incidental, arising out of or relating to the conduct of you or anyone else in connection with the use of the Service, including without limitation, bodily injury, emotional distress, and/or any other damages resulting from communications or meetings with other registered users of this Service or persons you meet through this Service. You agree to take reasonable precautions in all interactions with other Members of the Service, particularly if you decide to meet offline or in person. In addition, you agree to review Match.com's Dating Safety Tips prior to using the Service. You understand that Match.com makes no guarantees, either express or implied, regarding your ultimate compatibility with individuals you meet through the Service. You should not provide your financial information (for example, your credit card or bank account information) to other Members.
...

9. Content Posted by You on Match.com.

a. You are solely responsible for the Content that you publish or display (hereinafter, "post") on the Service, or transmit to other Members. You will not post on the Service, or transmit to other Members, any defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, obscene, profane, offensive, sexually oriented, threatening, harassing, racially offensive, or illegal material, or any material that infringes or violates another party's rights (including, but not limited to, intellectual property rights, and rights of privacy and publicity). You will not provide inaccurate, misleading or false information to the Company or to any other Member. If information provided to Match.com, or another Member, subsequently becomes inaccurate, misleading or false, you will promptly notify Match.com of such change.
...

d. The following is a partial list of the kind of Content that is illegal or prohibited on the Website. Match.com reserves the right to investigate and take appropriate legal action in its sole discretion against anyone who violates this provision, including without limitation, removing the offending communication from the Service and terminating the membership of such violators. It includes, but is not limited to, Content that:
...

harasses or advocates harassment of another person;
...

promotes information that you know is false, misleading or promotes illegal activities or conduct that is abusive, threatening, obscene, defamatory or libelous;
...

h. All information you include in your Member profile must be accurate, current and complete.
....

10. Prohibited Activities. Match.com reserves the right to investigate and terminate your membership if you have misused the Service, or behaved in a way which could be regarded as inappropriate or whose conduct is unlawful or illegal. The following is a partial list of the type of actions that you may not engage in with respect to the Service:

You will not impersonate any person or entity.
You will not "stalk" or otherwise harass any person.

Beaten man leaves hospital

6-5-2009 Pennsylvania:

The man who was pummeled by Kensington vigilantes for his alleged connection to the rape of an 11-year-old girl was released from the hospital yesterday as new allegations arose that he groped another woman the day he allegedly attacked the girl.

Jose Carrasquillo, 26, was released from Temple University Hospital about noon and taken into police custody at the Special Victims Unit where he was questioned about Monday's assault on the girl and other possible assaults.

Video footage released by police yesterday shows Carrasquillo on Monday walking on Kensington Avenue near Orleans Street alongside the girl and her sister, who was dropped off at a day-care center before the attack.

Police said the 11-year-old was on her way to Russell Conwell Middle School when Carrasquillo threatened to shoot her and then raped her in a nearby back yard.

Just an hour earlier, police say, Carrasquillo entered the cafeteria of Kensington High School for the Creative and Performing Arts - at Cumberland and Coral streets, about a mile from where the 11-year-old was approached - and groped a teenage girl, who later identified him as her attacker.

Bogus letter claims Aurora man is sex offender

6-10-2009 Colorado:

AURORA - The wording of a letter recently sent anonymously to people in one metro-area neighborhood would scare any parent. But the allegations made against Aurora Hills Middle School security officer Ray Hall are not true.

The letter claims a sexual predator is on the loose that neither the "City of Aurora nor the Schools want you to know" about.

It alleges that five victims have come forward claiming abuse.

"My stomach just kind of went, it just dropped," Hall said. "Every time you go outside you wonder are people thinking, 'Is this this kind of person?' because you know other people have read the letter."

Hall says letters were sent to his neighbors and the superintendent of Aurora Public Schools. The district and Aurora Police confirmed to 9NEWS that they have received no reports of abuse.

"Our investigators have found nothing to substantiate the allegations made in the letter," said Aurora Police Detective Shannon Lucy.

Hall's wife, Jan, who spoke to 9NEWS in April, says the letters have been hard on the family. 9NEWS has been investigating since.

"It kind of chokes me up. It gets you upset. When the second letter came last week I was pulling into the driveway and a neighbor said, 'Did you know there's a letter saying your husband is a sexual predator of children?'" Jan Hall said.

Posters Hung Falsely Identifying Man as Sex Offender

7-5-2009 Nebraska:

Omaha (KPTM) - Some Papillion residents woke up to some bizarre postings Friday morning.

Flyers claiming an area man was a sex offender were posted on numerous street and school signs.

"I was shocked. I was shocked in a way," says Janet Amfinson. "It's a defamation of character. I think it's nasty thing to do to someone."

The woman lives nearby the man whose picture is posted on the flyers.

They're family friends, and she says the phrases plastered on the poster saying 'pedophile' and 'Level 3 Sex Offender' aren't true.

"Absolutely not. Absolutely not," she says.

FOX 42 isn't releasing the man's full name or address because it looks like Amfinson is right.

A quick check of the Nebraska State Patrol's online registry of sex offenders doesn't list the man, which it would have to if he were a level three offender, as the poster claims.

FOX 42 talked with 'Erik' by phone Friday.

He said the posters were a lie and that he has police looking into it.

A Papillion police officer would only confirm off camera they're investigating, but need witnesses who may have seen someone hanging the flyers to step forward.

Amfinson says someone needs to be held accountable for publicly damaging the reputation of a man who has a family himself.

"I was angry that somebody would do that to somebody when he's trying to raise this child," she says.

A look at the online inmate search for Nebraska Department of Corrections also has no record for the man. ..Source.. by Todd Unger

Examiner Bio Jaycee Lee Dugard case: Nancy Garrido threatened by fellow inmates

10-11-2009 California:

Convicted sex offender, Phillip Garrido, and his wife, Nancy, are behind bars, awaiting trial for kidnapping and raping an 11-year-old Jaycee Lee Dugard. They are also accused of holding her captive for 18 years in a makeshift backyard compound.

Media attention has focused on Phillip, however, Nancy is accused of being the individual who physically abducted Jaycee from a school bus stop in 1991. She was also allegedly responsible for holding Jaycee captive when Phillip was behind bars from April to August 1993, after his arrest for a parole violation.

The Ski Channel TV Network is reporting that Nancy has been placed in isolation because fellow inmates have threatened to rape and kill her. A source told the network she is “very lonely” and spends most of her time reading the Bible. She is also said to be very cooperative with the ongoing police investigation.

Jaycee, now 29, has been reunited with her family. She has two daughters who were fathered by Phillip Garrido during her almost two decades in captivity. ..Source.. by Cindy Adams

New York County Outsources The Job Of Monitoring Sex Offenders

A question unanswered by any court: Can a governmental agency (County Agency here, etc.) authorize a non governmental company, entity, person/s, etc. authority to TRACK (stalk) and MONITOR (Harass) and ALLOW ACCESS TO PRIVATE DOCUMENTS of folks on state registries; affecting their constitutional rights?

Esp. when folks on registries have not personally approved the use of these WHATEVERS (companies, entities, private person/s, etc. [private non-deputized parties without legally approved background checks] and registrants have not given them authority to access private documents.)! Registry information and private documents are protected by constatutionally based state and federal law/s. Does this violate the 4th amendment? Is this legalized vigilantism?

8-25-2013 New York:

A suburban county on Long Island, N.Y., is taking a novel approach to monitoring sex offenders: It's giving the job to a victims' advocacy group.

The measure was approved unanimously earlier this year; lawmakers call it a cost-effective way to keep citizens safe. But a local lawyer calls it a "vigilante exercise," and convicted sex offenders are organizing to challenge the legislation.

'The Trackers'

___, 42, a convicted sex offender, is among those who object to the methods of Parents for Megan's Law, the advocacy group hired by Suffolk County.

___, who was convicted of sexual abuse two decades ago and is now married with two children, says one day last spring he met the people he calls "the trackers."

"I went and got coffee, and they pull up. It was a grey sedan, probably a Crown Victoria. They weren't law enforcement. But they had like a computer in the car," he says.

Two men in the car began questioning him. "I refused to give my name," ___ says. "I just continued to walk because I know the law, that I don't have to give my name."

He crossed the street and waited — and so did the two men.

"And then they left. So then I made a couple calls and said, 'Yeah, I believe I was encountered by the trackers' ... just putting other people on alert," he says. The other people, like ___, are registered sex offenders.

Legalizing Enforcement

The "trackers" are civilian employees of Parents for Megan's Law, a nonprofit organization getting close to $1 million a year to implement the law. Their role is to enforce what Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone calls the "toughest sex offender monitoring" law in the country.

"You can expect you will have an enhanced level of scrutiny unlike anything that exists anywhere else in our country," he says.

In February, the Suffolk County Legislature approved the bill unanimously. Some, like, Democrat Kate Browning, even joked about the law's desired outcome for sex offenders: "And if they don't like it, then they know where they can go." Someone else answered, "Another county."

FBI: Anniston man hired undercover agent to kill neighbor

9-2-2013 Alabama:

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC) - A disabled Army veteran from Anniston has been charged in a murder-for-hire plot against his neighbor, FBI officials said Monday.

Allen Wayne Densen Morgan, 29, is accused of hiring an undercover FBI agent to murder a man he believed raped his wife days earlier, according to court documents filed by the FBI.

The affidavit says an FBI agent called Morgan pretending to be a member of the Ku Klux Klan on Thursday, Aug. 22. The agent called to verify that Morgan wanted to hire someone to kill his neighbor.

[READ THE FULL COURT DOCUMENT HERE]

Morgan told the agent that he had just confronted his neighbor in Munford and fired several rounds at the ground to intimidate him. He said he didn't intend to kill the neighbor then because "several people were present."

According to court documents, Morgan described how he wanted his neighbor murdered by stating, "I want this man hung like a tree like an animal. I want his [expletive] cut off and I want him cut...I want him hung from a tree and gutted...that's how I want him to die. Die a slow painful death and that's it."

Morgan said he would discuss payment with the supposed hit man when they met up on Sunday, Aug. 25.

Stabbed and bleeding, U.S. sex offender shows up at border in Del Rio

8-30-2013 Texas:

A wanted sex offender bleeding from multiple stab wounds showed up at the international bridge in Del Rio early this morning, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Daniel Gomez, 28, gave CBP officers an Illinois birth certificate when a Mexican ambulance brought him to the port of entry shortly after midnight, according a news release from the agency. The driver told agents he was transporting a U.S. citizen who had been stabbed, according to the release.

It turned out that Gomez, was wanted for a sex offender registration violation by authorities in Minnesota and was wanted by U.S. Marshals for a probation violation on drug smuggling charges, according to the news release. Gomez received medical attention and is in custody of federal authorities, the release said. ..Source.. by Jason Buch, Staff Writer

One Account of Abuse and Fear in Texas Youth Detention

3-7-2007 Texas:

Joseph Galloway says he was molested at 15 by a female corrections officer in a Texas Youth Commission detention center and later raped by a fellow inmate as a guard stood by.

“That’s when I started to try to kill myself,” Mr. Galloway, now 19, said by telephone from another youth facility as he waited late Tuesday to be interviewed by the Texas Rangers.

Mr. Galloway’s account is among about 150 new complaints that have emerged from 44 secure state schools, halfway houses and residential youth care programs in Texas as a result of several overlapping inquiries into accusations of sexual abuse and other mistreatment there.

A senior investigator, speaking anonymously because he was not authorized to talk to news organizations, said that only Wednesday, a registered sex offender was found to be working at the Coke County Juvenile Justice Center, near San Angelo, a Youth Commission facility operated by a private contractor.

“The good news is we’re finding plenty to inquire about,” said Jay Kimbrough, the special master appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to investigate after a scandal broke last month with news reports that the commission had covered up repeated sexual encounters between at least 10 boys and 2 administrators at the West Texas State School, in Pyote, from 2003 to 2005. More recently, officials said that at least three girls had been sexually abused by a corrections officer at another facility, in Brownwood.

A joint legislative committee of inquiry is to hold a hearing on Thursday in Austin, with testimony expected from the Texas ranger whose report on the events at Pyote remained undisclosed from 2005 until a few weeks ago.