Could there be a child rapist in your neighborhood

[Lady Laurel]

http://www.criminalcheck.com

My best friend this week was emailed this web address and in pulling up her information found there is a child rapists living 3 doors down from her. She was horrified. She did some checking around calling the authorities and such. She found that this man only had to register with the local police and did not have to let his neighborhood know what he is. She found out he raped a 6 year old girl in Texas served 7 years in prison. The law states in Louisiana that if he has served his time he does not need to register with anyone but the police.
She then drove down the street to see where he lives and not 10 feet from his drive way was several children playing ball.
She called several foundations for abused children and they all agree this should not be happening because child offenders are repeat offenders. They also told her if she tried to tell any off the neighbors what she found out she could be sued.
It seems to me the law protects the offender more than it protects the innocent children that could be next on his list.

[AnnaFaerie]

Sue me then......I would call everyone with a child (hell no I wouldn't...I would knock on EVERY door and let them know) and tell them. It is the only protection we have from that kind of evil. If the courts won't take care of this problem with a long-term jail sentence for bastards....then we need to stand up and yell it long and loud. PROTECT OUR CHILDREN!

[Lady Laurel]

She is in process as we speak off trying to find a loophole in the law where she can inform them and nothing will come back on her or her family.
She has been driving down the street several times a day especially when kids are out just watching to see if he comes out. The neighbors are going to think something is up for sure.

[Eric McTavish]

She is in process as we speak off trying to find a loophole in the law where she can inform them and nothing will come back on her or her family.
She has been driving down the street several times a day especially when kids are out just watching to see if he comes out. The neighbors are going to think something is up for sure.

At the moment what she is doing is coming dangerously close to stalking...about the only thing she can do is send out a annoumous mailer or report to the local newspaper, but if she keeps up what she's doing and this a**hole notices your friend may be the one ending up in jail or in debt to him from lawsuits.

[Nevada]

we get little notices in my neighborhood (Dallas) got one the other day...I keep a watch on the little ones when I am home when they are playing in the street..fortunately I am on a corner so have a good vantage point

[I'Cin]

I don't see why she shouldn't provide the website address to her neighbors. Perhaps with a note that says something like, I've found www.snopes.com to be very helpful in figuring out which emails are urban legends. I've also found some very interesting things at www.criminalcheck.com which is a free site and its easy to use, just put in your zip code.

Mail it to every house on the block, including his. Nothing secretive (but do it anonymously if you'd like), so it doesn't seem like it would be considered stalking. Since he isn't mentioned by name, I don't think he could sue for slander or whatever. Also, the defense for slander/libel (as far as I know and I'm NOT an attorney) is, is whatever was said the truth? If its the same guy, his conviction (and registration) is public record.

Its a tough spot to be in. Good luck.

I'Cin

[Lady Laurel]

Eric- I told her what you said and she said you were right and is going to stop driving down the road. The story keeps getting better he has been in Louisiana since Nov he got out of jail Nov1st. He used to play ball with her brother. Since he served all off his time he does not need to send cards out to the neighborhood letting them know he is back from jail.

[Jessa]

Since he served all off his time he does not need to send cards out to the neighborhood letting them know he is back from jail.
This is how it is supposed to be. His crime carried a specific sentance when he was convicted. He served it. He's paid his debt and is done now. It would be unjust to continue punishing or harrassing a person beyond thier court-determined punishment.

Let's imagine that a man ripped off a liquor store, served his time a got out. He then went on to lead a relative normal life. Does it seem fair to make him send out announcement cards every time he moves to a new place? Why not just brand him in a conspicuous place like we did in the good old days? I know that robby and rape are not at all the same crime. But, this example helps illustrate the legal principle at work here, by getting some of the emotional baggage out of the way.

Child abuse, especially sexual abuse, is a very serious a disturbing crime. I do not think that simply spending 7 years in prison is appropriate. Maybe a longer stay is in order? I'm not an expert. But, there definatly needs to be serious counseling done before one of these animals is ever released. This isn't an ordinary crime of despartion or misguildedness. There is something really wrong with the people committing it that needs to be addressed.

That aside, it would be vigilate justice - a breakdown of our legal system - to expect this man to serve anything but the punishment assigned at his trial. We cannot go retroactively applying new laws and punishments, nor should neighborhood watch groups start turning into kangeroo courts.

Change things for the better by lobbying for better handling of rapists during their sentence, and perhapse changing the sentence terms. Not by going after a man who has already served his time. I'm not trying to defend him or his past crimes here. I'm trying to defend the law. We should be addressing problems with the law by changing it, not circumventing it.

[Lady Sarah]

OK, I'm confused by what you're saying Jessa... are you saying that simply because he served his time that he should live in anonymity? Maybe I misunderstood your post.

I'm sorry, but two houses down from me is a convicted murderer. How do I know this? I know him. I've lived 20+ years in this house and I was there the day he was arrested, the day that the neighbor came over and told us what happened, the day he was convicted and the day he moved back in. Yes, he served his time and I hope he's living a clean life, but I'm constantly on the aware for anything amiss or anything that doesn't feel right. I have no qualms whatsoever about pointing his direction in the event that something criminal happens on my street - whether he's guilty or not. Vigilante justice or just hedging my bets.. you tell me.

A child rapist should NEVER be allowed near children. Never. I'm of the mind that they shouldn't be allowed to live once they're convicted. Guilty? take them out back and kill them. end of story. While Laurel's friend has realized the fine line between awareness and stalking, I applaud her for her efforts in trying to keep her neighborhood safe. I don't advocate going out and lynching this fellow, I do advocate spreading the word to her neighbors.

[AshleyTheWench]

the criminalcheck site isnt working for me

[AnnaFaerie]

The truth of the matter is this......this kind of problem is seldom fixed with counseling. I don't care if they serve their full time in prison or not....THEY branded themseleves and their neighbors have a right to know who they are living next to. These people harm children over and over......why should they be protected more than the children they prey on?

[Jessa]

OK, I'm confused by what you're saying Jessa... are you saying that simply because he served his time that he should live in anonymity? Maybe I misunderstood your post.

No. I was specifically addressing the idea of it being up to the released convict to send warnings to his new neighbors. There's a big difference between being forced to send warning cards to your neighbors about your criminal history and living in anonymity. If this man's prior conviction is public record, then there is no reason that the public can't or shouldn't know about it. Resources like that website posted in this thread are good for getting that information out. People living near him are and should be perfectly free to tell each other what they know.

The point is that this man's punishment has been deamed over by the justice system. That means he should not have further obligations added on after the fact. Sentencing is complete, and his term is served.

In the sentencing phase of a trial, an appropriate punishment is determined by the courts. Weather or not I personally think that punishment is adequate, I definately think that the punishment should be served in full and not exceeded. This is an important part of the fairness of the justice system.

Sending notifications of your criminal history would be an act of state-sponsored pulic humilliation. Since this is an unpleasant task directly consequent of the criminal wrongdoing, it must be classified as a punishment. As a punishment, it must be ordered by the court during the man's sentencing.



I'm sorry, but two houses down from me is a convicted murderer. How do I know this? I know him. I've lived 20+ years in this house and I was there the day he was arrested, the day that the neighbor came over and told us what happened, the day he was convicted and the day he moved back in. Yes, he served his time and I hope he's living a clean life, but I'm constantly on the aware for anything amiss or anything that doesn't feel right. I have no qualms whatsoever about pointing his direction in the event that something criminal happens on my street - whether he's guilty or not. Vigilante justice or just hedging my bets.. you tell me.

A child rapist should NEVER be allowed near children. Never. I'm of the mind that they shouldn't be allowed to live once they're convicted. Guilty? take them out back and kill them. end of story. While Laurel's friend has realized the fine line between awareness and stalking, I applaud her for her efforts in trying to keep her neighborhood safe. I don't advocate going out and lynching this fellow, I do advocate spreading the word to her neighbors.

Your murdering neighbor didn't have to personally walk door to door to let everyone know he is a killer, and is living at his old home again. This information was avaible enough through existing channels that you and others were about to find out. Clearly, its natural that one should be wary of him, knowing his history.

Maybe execution is the answer for child rapists. I know I certainly wouldn't mourn their passing.

[Lady Laurel]

A child rapist should NEVER be allowed near children. Never. I'm of the mind that they shouldn't be allowed to live once they're convicted. Guilty? take them out back and kill them. end of story. While Laurel's friend has realized the fine line between awareness and stalking, I applaud her for her efforts in trying to keep her neighborhood safe. I don't advocate going out and lynching this fellow, I do advocate spreading the word to her neighbors

All the child abuse places that she called today said that child rapist are very different from other criminals. We were both told that they usually repeat thier crimes and seem to cannot stop themselves. I feel like the whole neighborhood should know not to "lynch" him but to protect thier innocent children. She has called her local authorities, the mayors office, and governers office. She felt like if she is by law not able to go and tell her neighbors then someone should. The governers office called her back this afternoon and said they were calling the DA's office to find out what they can do to inform the neighborhood but keep his rights also. We also had a lady in one of the child advocate offices say for every one we know about there are still two out there we don't. Safe world we live in don't yall think?

[AshleyTheWench]

how revolting, in my zip code alone I have 10 sex offenders...one of which lives around the block from me

pedophiles are NOT the same as other criminals.

they will repeat, and sometimes it is as simple as kiddie internet porn (not that is is "simple" per se).

many others want to act on it for LIFE.

Now I do not agree with giving out private information about all convicted felons, that IS wrong.

But it has been shown state after state that it is no longer a violation of their rights to notify the neighbors. Many states are very restrictive and will not release it to anyone except for those directly surrounding their residence and work.

Many states do not allow for the people who were notified to notify anyone else, trying to maintain a small sort of privacy for someone who did serve their time, but did have to register.

Now your friend may want to be VERY careful. It is not a matter of a lawsuit, but an actual FELONY to notify people the police do not notify.

It is one thing to sue or be sued, but this is runnign the risk of jail time and the more people notified, the more charges, and while if it does go to a trial, the jury may side with her on sympathy and have a hung jury or even, though doubtful, found not guilty (hung is most likely what would happen), but tell her to imagine what would happen to her family and kids (I am assuming she has them adn this is why she is so on it)if she went to jail, even for a day or two, then to have to go through a trial and, worse, if she IS convicted. Then who will be there for the kids.

I totally understand what she is doing and why, but one MUST be careful to not overstep and go from protector to convicted.

And please, urge her to be very careful not to stalk anyone, those laws are coming down on people hard and fast and they are so much more harsh in punishment.

Muffin

[Galleywench]

I don't see why she shouldn't provide the website address to her neighbors. Perhaps with a note that says something like, I've found www.snopes.com to be very helpful in figuring out which emails are urban legends. I've also found some very interesting things at www.criminalcheck.com which is a free site and its easy to use, just put in your zip code.

Mail it to every house on the block, including his. Nothing secretive (but do it anonymously if you'd like), so it doesn't seem like it would be considered stalking. Since he isn't mentioned by name, I don't think he could sue for slander or whatever. Also, the defense for slander/libel (as far as I know and I'm NOT an attorney) is, is whatever was said the truth? If its the same guy, his conviction (and registration) is public record.

Its a tough spot to be in. Good luck.

I'Cin

Thanks for te link Cin... 13 registered offenders in my area. 1 around the corner prefers girls my daughter's age and apparently there is a halfway house of sorts (several with this same address) literally just a few doors down from Jays shoppe.

I cringe to think that I let the girls walk around his shoppe area alone.

[Janelle of Warren]

*sigh* Site doesn't cover NJ.

[I'Cin]

Thanks for te link Cin... 13 registered offenders in my area. 1 around the corner prefers girls my daughter's age and apparently there is a halfway house of sorts (several with this same address) literally just a few doors down from Jays shoppe.

I cringe to think that I let the girls walk around his shoppe area alone.

Your welcome, but it wasn't me, I cribbed it from the original post by Lady Laurel.

I'Cin

*sigh* Site doesn't cover NJ.

No, because of what I have been saying...I know NJ laws pretty well...

That is a good sign because it means there are none close to you Janelle.
If there were the police would have notified you..

Muffin

[Eric McTavish]

She has called her local authorities, the mayors office, and governers office. She felt like if she is by law not able to go and tell her neighbors then someone should. The governers office called her back this afternoon and said they were calling the DA's office to find out what they can do to inform the neighborhood but keep his rights also. We also had a lady in one of the child advocate offices say for every one we know about there are still two out there we don't. Safe world we live in don't yall think?

Now this was the right thing to do, let those with the knowledge of the laws handle things not your friend, why open yoursefl up to lawsuits and jail-time?!?

BYT in my tiny little town according to that website we have 8 sex offenders here most sexual assault but on with "Victim under 16" and another with "Victim under 12" on their names... huh :shock:

[Lady Laurel]

http://www.megannicolekankafoundation.org/mission.htm

If anyone is interested they are a very good group according to the local governmental office on child advocacy.
My friend has spoke the the mayors office again ( this time she spoke with the mayor her self I could not believe it) they wanted to let her know they were trying still to find out information for her. SHe has since gone to the television stations in town and told them the situation. Not to publish his name persay but she wants more information to get out to people to protect thier children.

[Janelle of Warren]

*sigh* Site doesn't cover NJ.

No, because of what I have been saying...I know NJ laws pretty well...

That is a good sign because it means there are none close to you Janelle.
If there were the police would have notified you..

Muffin

Oops! Obviously I wasn't reading closely enough. Thanks for filling me in. As a teacher, I have been "notified" of those in the area of the school where I teach. Unfortunately, the notification took the form of being able to look at a notice about each offendor for a minute and then sign that I had seen it and hand it back. No notes, etc, allowed. I found myself wondering "If I see one of these guys near the school, will I remember his face?"

[MadLynne Phatbotum]

It does work for New Jersey.
I tried my sister's zip and found "one" a few blocks away.
She has no younger children but we visit her alot and my youngest is 9 yrs!

That might be a trnsfer from another state...they have to register their moves when they leave and register their new location when they get there.

If it is a NJ criminal and someone entered him, they can get in a lot of trouble as can the website for posting it.....

not that I mind the man being posted, I believe they all should...just the way Jersey law is...