I don't know. I am against this type of sexual crime registry for a number of reasons. One being that you don't know what the circumstances were. Did he rape a child? Did he snatch someone off the street? Did he invade someone's home? Was it an underage girlfriend whose parents found out and then had him charged? Was it a case where a gal was putting out to a group of men and decided man number 6 was a rapist and the first 5 were not? How old was he then? How old is he now? Was it forcible rape or just a date gone bad? Did he get convicted by a jury or did he plea bargain to maybe just get his life back? Did he have good representation?

See, it's complicated.

So I guess you are over-reacting unless you really know the actual crime that was committed. You say he's been a neighbor for a year without problems. How long has he lived there?

Like I said I hate these registries. If he did his time then he shouldn't be dogged for the rest of his life unless there were special circumstances. If there were special circumstances than he shouldn't be out.

For once I agree with Wildchild.

You say this person was "charged" with rape.

Were they tried and found guilty? I'm guessing not, since they live down the street.

And if I'm guessing correctly, you are over-reacting.

I wouldn't say you were over-reacting. You said you just found out. I think you're probably feeling what many would feel if in similar circumstances. You need to find out more details though, especially since you said he was charged. I didn't realize that individuals could be listed of the Registry before they were convicted. As Wildchild wrote there's a wide range of possibilities here. First I'd try to contact the Police Department and see if there can give any further information.

Better to be aware of such a person, than have no idea at all. Especially in this day and age where sexual predators are creating headlines almost every week, like the most recent one that killed a 17 year old in California. He had a history .
I would definetly want to know who is living next door to me.
June

I checked the Sex Offender Registry in my state, and found there's one offender living in my town in Long Island NY. I know his name, address and where he works-it's in a card store that sells cigarettes, magazines and comic books, frequented by children. I've been in that store many times. Gives me the creeps, even thgough my daughters are grown up (20 and 21). He doesn't live near me, and I never spend any time near where he lives. Just creeps me out.

My Aunt sent me our local Registry from the Sheriff's office one year and I was stunned to see so many sex offenders living up and down my country road and one or two roads over!
I walked that road every day at the same time, boy did I change my pattern and made myself become more aware. Always had a dog with me, have lost both dogs - one in fall and one in Feb - so I won't feel comfortable taking that daily walk until I get another (dog).

I do feel sorry for those who are falsely accused, as wildchild points out; but how does a person really know for sure?

Forewarned is forearmed!

Seems nowadays we need to be aware of our own security and common sense no matter where we live, work or play (or who we live next door to, work with, or meet!)

Be wise, be alert and chances are better no one will bother you...it is the weak and oblivious ones that predators look for!

nola anne

Ditto to what Wildchild said!

A lot of neighborhoods have sex offenders living in them. Ck with the Sheriffs Dept & they should give you the details.

Donna (^_^)

I totally agree that there are many reasons a person can be put on that list, and not especially be a danger to society at large. There are also other people on the registries who are ticking time bombs.

A couple of random points. If you do decide to pursue this, and/or warn your friends, be aware of the laws in your state regarding the dissemination of this kind of information. In some states, it's okay to do so. In my state, IT IS ILLEGAL to spread this sort of information. If I found a sexual predator was living 4 doors away, and I warned my neighbors, I could be charged with a crime. You need to be careful that you don't do something that will get you in trouble regarding this issue.

Secondly--your state website probably gives details on his conviction. Mine shows a picture, current address, class of crime, and details like the age of the victim, relationship to the perp (stranger, child he was babysitting, family member, etc). It won't tell you everything, but enough that you may be able to see if he sounds like a danger to the public at large.

Lastly. Here's the problem I have with those websites. Yes, they warn about the guy who's been convicted of a sexual crime, you can't ignore that--it's factual. BUT they DO NOT tell you about the guy who committed a sexual crime, but who could afford a lawyer who got the charge reduced to something that doesn't require listing on those sites. it DOES NOT identify the guy who has committed and been arrested for a sexual crime, but who hasn't yet gone to trial (but who may be out on bail, walking right past your house). They DO NOT identify the guy who has committed such an offense, but who hasn't yet been ID's or arrested. Nor the guy who hasn't ever committed an illegal sexual act, but who may do so tomorrow. Those lists only show the ones who are following the rules, not the perps who are supposed to be on the list but who have managed to skip town, and get lost someplace else (supposedly there are a lot of guys who did that in the confusion after Katrina, in all parts of the country).

You need to be aware of who is on the list in your neighborhood, and be cautious, but you need to remember there are other threats, from other directions, and not become complacent--in some ways, unknown dangers are far more hazardous than the ones we know about and can protect ourselves against. Be careful always.

Like Wildchild said, it is complicated. The registery should be able to tell you what level of offender he is. There isn't anything you can do about it, except to be aware. That is what the registry is for.

However Wildchild, I have to disagree with this comment - "If he did his time then he shouldn't be dogged for the rest of his life unless there were special circumstances. If there were special circumstances than he shouldn't be out. "

There is a case out here in San Diego of a young girl who was murdered by a child rapist who got out after 5 years in prison. He registered in one place, but lived with his mom in another. He's also tied back to the attempted rape of another young woman and they are investigating further unsolved assaults.

He raped and beat a 14 year old girl. The reason he got such a light sentence instead of the maximum was because prosecutors didn't want to have to put the 14 year old on the stand to relive her horror.

Not all of them serve the time they should. And not all of them should have been let out to do it again. And yes, some will do it again. The rate of recidivism is high in sex offenders, particularily child molesters. I believe a registry is better than none, no matter how flawed or prejudicial you think it might be.

Melanie, don't panic. There are people all around us who could hurt us, and you just have to be smart. Keep your doors locked and your eyes open.

Just keep a smart head. Keep doors locked, don't go walking alone in darkness. Stay on main roads and around stores, homes, lights, other people. Keep your car doors locked at all times, even when driving. (I once had a gang of kids try to jump in my car when I was stopped at a red light.) . Park in well-lit areas. You don't have to be unduly afraid, just aware and savvy. Know your neighbors, even just to say "hi".

Thanks for the comments, I guess I just needed to tell someone. I agree with alot of the comments.. I checked the registry and the Police Dept web site and he is listed as just Rape, but no I don't know all the circumstances. I am not going to pursue it. I am not going to do anything I guess just finding out how close he lives just freaked me out a bit. I know what he looks like now and I will just be aware and careful if I do see him.

Your right it could have been a young girlfriend or it could have been anything.

To be honest I am thinking its freaking me out so badly cause I was raped by 2 men when I was 18 and part of me still lives that night.

I have had no problems, I havent seen him, that is why I went to the Police Dept web site since they have to report their address and everything every 90 days or so..

Thanks for the replies

P.S. Remember there are some "victimless" sex crimes. Like urinating in public, or having consensual sex with a girl under 21. It's very complex.

If he's on the registry, he was convicted;
don't second-guess the situation.

Be careful.

A young neighbor man had just turned 21 and a young neighbor girl who lived down the road the other way got together ( and from what we all understand, she has got together with a lot of other young men) but for some reason and he said, it was because he didn't want to date her she decided to go to her parents and holler rape. He was convicted and did his time but now his name is on that registry. We have several in our little town on that same registry, they were rapist long before the registry became open to the public. They have always been around us only we didn't know it then. In this day and age we have to be careful of everything.

"he said, it was because he didn't want to date her she decided to go to her parents and holler rape. He was convicted and did his time"

yeah, right.

Prisons are full of "innocent" men;
ask any inmate.

He's a convicted rapist, & rape convictions are *not* easy to get.

No matter how many guys a girl or woman "got together with", or how many times she "got together with" a particular man, she hasn't forfeited the right to say no.

& a rape conviction doesn't rest solely on a victim's testimony;

a trial puts the victim through a wringer-
not something any woman or girl would go through just to punish someone who wouldn't "date" her.

Offenders are often excellent manipulators & liars.

Ted Bundy was so charming & believeable that his jailers in Colorado relaxed their vigilance, & he escaped & murdered several more girls.

You really need to look at the evidence presented in court before you decide to believe the word of a convicted sex offender over the word of his victim.

Lastly. Here's the problem I have with those websites. Yes, they warn about the guy who's been convicted of a sexual crime, you can't ignore that--it's factual. BUT they DO NOT tell you about the guy who committed a sexual crime, but who could afford a lawyer who got the charge reduced to something that doesn't require listing on those sites. it DOES NOT identify the guy who has committed and been arrested for a sexual crime, but who hasn't yet gone to trial (but who may be out on bail, walking right past your house). They DO NOT identify the guy who has committed such an offense, but who hasn't yet been ID's or arrested. Nor the guy who hasn't ever committed an illegal sexual act, but who may do so tomorrow. Those lists only show the ones who are following the rules, not the perps who are supposed to be on the list but who have managed to skip town, and get lost someplace else (supposedly there are a lot of guys who did that in the confusion after Katrina, in all parts of the country).

Excellent point Azzalea. Also Residency restrictions banish former offenders from entire towns and cities, forcing them to live far from homes, families, jobs and treatment, and hindering law-enforcement supervision.

Sylvia - So you believe that no one is ever falsely convicted? Do your beliefs hold true only to rapists and males or do you carry those beliefs over to women? How do you explain the release of hundreds of convicted inmates due to new DNA evidence that proved they did not do the crimes they were convicted of?

I already posted to another thread, I see everyone knows about checking for sex offenders in your area....

"You say this person was 'charged' with rape.
Were they tried and found guilty? I'm guessing not, since they live down the street."

Lester, if the person is on the Sex Offender Registry, it means they've been convicted (and to be convicted, you have to be charged with a crime and found guilty of having committed that crime). And why don't you think a convicted sex offender could live down the street? Where are they supposed to live, once they've been released from jail/prison? We may not like it, but they have to live somewhere...

Lindsey this crime was in 2003 so if he did time I don't know.. I am sure he did, I don't think you get put on that site and not be convicted..Like I said I don't know him and I haven't seen him, but I am so busy to and don't know everyone that lives around here. I am on the look out now.. I guess cause I am still nervous, but I am not going to live my life in paranoia.. I know what he looks like and I would never let him in my house or anything like that.. I am aware of him now, just makes me more alert when I have to go to my car at 4 or 5 in the morning for clinicals..

He commited the crime in 2003 and was put on the Sex Registry in 2009

And don't forget as well about the younger girls and BOYS(teenagers)who have a wild crush on a person much older and they end up having sex. Even though the older person knows better, they end up being charged with rape and have to register as well. Not saying this is the case here, but it is also a possibility.

I agree too,with Wildchild.I personally know of a case where the boy and girl were having consentual sex,they broke up,girls parents filed charges.She was 15 and he was 17.There was no forced sex.She knew and liked what she was doing.Now this boy will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.So,you never know the circumstances.

Consentual sex - didn't anyone tell the boy the law? Or did the parents just hand him some condoms and tell him to have safe sex as he was going out the door?

I understand that some boys may be on the registry for stupidity and they will live that mistake for the rest of their lives. But let's not forget that men can always stop - stop if someone says no, stop if they think the girl is underage, stop if they are aware that the parents at at any time could charge them, stop if they have any concerns whatsoever that this isn't right. Stop. That's within their control, not the woman's.

Do I feel sorry for these young men who couldn't control their hormones? Yes. Would I throw out the registry of animals because their stupidity put them in the same boat? No.

Was it a case where a gal was putting out to a group of men and decided man number 6 was a rapist and the first 5 were not?

I have a major problem with this comment. Is this the reason you would have done away with a registry? Because some woman put out for 5 men and on the 6th she said no? This is the very reason women don't charge men with rape. Because some snail of a defense attorney is going to put the victim on trial claim because she put out for 5 men, the 6th was no different.

Shame on you Wildchild. Shame. When a woman says no, she means no. And no rational man is beyond their ability to stop. Only the animals keep on going.

As for consentual sex with a minor, whatever your personal experiences are, a boy, no a man, should know and understand the consequences. I don't care if some woman sings him The Song of Sirens. If he puts his hormones in front of the law, he takes his chances. Even if the girl consented. Often times they consent because it's the captain of the football team and they want to be accepted. That doesn't make the man any less responsible.

It takes more than a "he said, she said" to get put on that registry. It takes a trial, a hearing, a judge and maybe even a jury to hear all the evidence, including dragging the so-called "victim" through every relationship and every photograph and every friend she's ever had.

So no, I don't cry for those on the registry, although I do agree there are some on there who may not belong. But take a look at the registry and some of the people in your neighborhood on it, and tell me they are all just poor misunderstood souls caught in a web of a lying female.

PS..Could someone give me an estimate of how many men on the registry they think are innocent? Or have been put there for trivial crimes not of their making?

10%? 20%? 50%?

I'd like to hear your thoughts.

When a woman says no, she means no.

I know that is the mantra being played out today but instead of empowering women it makes them look like weak,fickle idiots.

If the foreplay was fun and her clothing is off and she climbed into bed willingly it is a bit too late late for no to have much meaning other than she is a (unprintable).

Why is it that have a man talks a woman into sex some women want to call it rape and yet if a woman willingly goes along with sexual activity until the last moment there is no charge for that.

The shame should be put on women who claim to want equality but when it comes to sex want to have the right to be a "little woman" who changes their mind at the last possible moment.Take some responsibility ladies.

If you have boundaries set them early. Instead you want to play "Calvin Ball" changing the rules as you play.

"And don't forget as well about the younger girls and BOYS(teenagers)who have a wild crush on a person much older and they end up having sex. Even though the older person knows better, they end up being charged with rape and have to register as well."

as they should.

There's *no* excuse for a grown man having sex with a minor.

& there's no excuse for a man to continue & penetrate *no matter how excited he is* if the other party says to stop.

Men are not at the mercy of their sexual urges;
if "I couldn't stop" is accepted as a valid excuse for violating another person, then there's no way to render a guilty verdict.

If he has to grit his teeth & roll onto the floor, he'll get over it.

wildchild, I don't know why you think that holding men responsible might mean that women should get away with -what kind of crime?

Women just don't typically assault men, sexually or otherwise.

& yes, I am aware of DNA evidence, & I'm happy when it helps someone who has been punished for something he didn't do.

but.

Today it's the convictions that rely on DNA.

& if a "boy" of 17 can go to prison for consentual sex with a girl who's under the age of consent (???), then you all need to impress upon your young men that they better keep it in their pants.

Women just don't typically assault men, sexually or otherwise.

Bull. Plenty of women have assaulted men. There have been several cases in the media of women taking young boys to bed. Even their students. The only difference is that society jokes about it when men are the victims. Why aren't the 17 year old girls who take 14 year old boys to bed on the registry. Huh?

Plenty of females probably fondle little boys inappropriately but how many little boys are warned about a woman touching them "there". How come a woman can take her 8 year old son into the restroom but a man can't take his 8 year old daughter? How many stranger danger films have a woman shown as the perp even though there have been plenty of women throughout time who kidnapped children? Can you say DOUBLE STANDARD?

We live in a society that has recently proclaimed men bad/women good.

What about those low life twits that beat up and glued that man's organ to him leg?

Some women still think they can slap a man across the face for some perceived slight but if he slaps them back he's branded an abuser.

Then there are the manipulative mind games some women like to play. Being a PT is a form of assault as well.

A few of you seem to be trapped in the "woman as victim" mode. I feel sorry for you. Those of you who just buy into the hype need to broaden your minds. Those who have suffered an assault and are unable to move on need to get help from someone other than man hater groups who have their own agenda.

oh carp.

The *likelihood* is that this guy raped somebody, got caught, & is now on the loose in the neighborhood.

Ladies, be careful.

I agree Sylvia, This guy commited this crime in 2003 and wasnt put on the registry till 2009, that tells me that he did time in Prison/Jail.. I am not going further with this it just bothers me, I am on the lookout now all the time, everytime someone walks down my street I look to see who it is.. I am careful I am more cautious now then I was. There are children in my neighbourhood, some of these kids play in the back of my house in the woods, this bothers me because who knows what this man is capable of.