A convicted and registered child sex offender was arrested Thursday night while she was attending a spaghetti supper at Lombard Middle School.
Merita A. Smith, 34, 960 S. Seminary St., was arrested at the school at 1220 E. Knox St. at about 6:30 p.m. on three outstanding warrants including purchase of a meth precursor, failure to report change of address as a sex offender, a failure to appear warrant on a theft charge and a $120 body attachment.
Friday morning, police charged Smith with presence within a school zone, a Class 4 felony offense punishable by one to three years in prison.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Sex offender was on grounds of the Downtown Middle School
A convicted sex offender was arrested yesterday morning for being on the grounds of the Downtown Middle School four times in recent weeks, the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office said.
Elbert Otis Jeffries Jr., 26, of 4142 Old Lexington Road, faces four counts of being a sex offender on school premises.
The Sheriff's Office said a probation officer told them Wednesday that Jeffries had been on the school grounds four times between Feb. 12 and Tuesday.
Jeffries is being monitored by a GPS tracking device that shows his location at all times. It was part of his sentence when he was convicted in 2006 of indecent liberties with a minor.
Jeffries is being held at the Forsyth County Jail with bond set at $15,000.
Friday, February 27, 2009
School volunteer has molest conviction
San Diego schools officials will review their policies for background checks on volunteers after they learned a 63-year-old sex offender had worked with music students for months.
Vincent Greco, a volunteer music teacher at the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts, was arrested Sunday on suspicion of failing to register as a sex offender, police said.
Sex-crimes detectives were notified last week about possible inappropriate conduct between Greco and a student at the SCPA, said San Diego police Lt. Rick O'Hanlon. Police would not say who tipped them.
Vincent Greco, a volunteer music teacher at the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts, was arrested Sunday on suspicion of failing to register as a sex offender, police said.
Sex-crimes detectives were notified last week about possible inappropriate conduct between Greco and a student at the SCPA, said San Diego police Lt. Rick O'Hanlon. Police would not say who tipped them.
Vigo schools working on sex offender policy
TERRE HAUTE
The policy states that, except in limited circumstances, the school district “will not permit registered sex offenders, whose victim was a minor, to be on school property.”
The school district has at times received reports that a registered sex offender attended a school event, such as a festival or other after-school activity.
State law doesn’t prohibit registered sex offenders from visiting a school, Azar said. State law does prevent them from working at a school or living within so many feet of a school.
“We were advised if we wanted to make school grounds off limits, we would need to have a policy” that can be enforced, Ray Azar, director of student services said.
The policy states that, except in limited circumstances, the school district “will not permit registered sex offenders, whose victim was a minor, to be on school property.”
The school district has at times received reports that a registered sex offender attended a school event, such as a festival or other after-school activity.
State law doesn’t prohibit registered sex offenders from visiting a school, Azar said. State law does prevent them from working at a school or living within so many feet of a school.
“We were advised if we wanted to make school grounds off limits, we would need to have a policy” that can be enforced, Ray Azar, director of student services said.
Sex offender charged after visiting school
http://www.the-dispatch.com/article/20090219/ARTICLES/902190287/1053/SPORTS
A man on the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry was arrested after authorities were told the man was on an elementary school campus, said a press release by the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office.
Kenneth Wayne Smith, 41, of 937 Willowmore Spring Road, was charged Wednesday with one count of registered sex offender on school property.
Smith was put on the registry after a Nov. 15, 2007, conviction in Davidson County of assisting another with immoral acts against a juvenile. Under North Carolina law, sex offenders are prohibited from school property.
A man on the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry was arrested after authorities were told the man was on an elementary school campus, said a press release by the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office.
Kenneth Wayne Smith, 41, of 937 Willowmore Spring Road, was charged Wednesday with one count of registered sex offender on school property.
Smith was put on the registry after a Nov. 15, 2007, conviction in Davidson County of assisting another with immoral acts against a juvenile. Under North Carolina law, sex offenders are prohibited from school property.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Campus sex offender ban passes House
The Alabama House of Representatives on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a ban on sex offenders living or loitering near college campuses.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Jamie Ison, now goes to the Senate, where that measure and many others approved by the House last year failed.
Ison's bill would prohibit convicted sex offenders from living in college dorms or within 2,000 feet of a campus. Sex offenders would be allowed to take classes at colleges and universities, but they could only be on campus if they had a "legitimate purpose," the bill prescribes.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Jamie Ison, now goes to the Senate, where that measure and many others approved by the House last year failed.
Ison's bill would prohibit convicted sex offenders from living in college dorms or within 2,000 feet of a campus. Sex offenders would be allowed to take classes at colleges and universities, but they could only be on campus if they had a "legitimate purpose," the bill prescribes.
Sex Offender Let In School
A convicted sex offender was let into Canistota Public School.
Right now, McCook County Sheriff Mark Norris is investigating and a rural Canistota mom wants to know why it happened in the first place.
According to South Dakota's Sex Offender Registry, 41-year-old Darin Nugteren was convicted of sexual contact three months ago. His conviction involved a 15-year-old girl.
Right now, McCook County Sheriff Mark Norris is investigating and a rural Canistota mom wants to know why it happened in the first place.
According to South Dakota's Sex Offender Registry, 41-year-old Darin Nugteren was convicted of sexual contact three months ago. His conviction involved a 15-year-old girl.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Sex Offender Hired at Nursery School
A pastor in Bethesda is under fire for hiring a convicted sex offender to work in a nursery school despite knowing his history.
Forty families who send their children to the Bethesda Cooperative Nursery School were stunned to learn that the friendly man who fixed things around the school had once served time for possession of child pornography. The man, Travis Buffington, also lives on the grounds of the school, just feet from the playground. But that's only part of the story.
Parents were also shocked to learn that the pastor of the church is defending his actions, telling them he has no regrets for hiring Buffington. In a meeting Wednesday night, one parent described said Pastor Todd Thomas said he didn’t' see Buffington as a threat, so they shouldn't either. He told parents he has no intentions of firing Buffington, and that's a
decision that has some parents pulling their kids out of the school.
Ya think? I suppose any parent who cared about their child would pull them out of that school. I mean, why take a chance with your own child with someone who has known pedophilia tendencies!
Forty families who send their children to the Bethesda Cooperative Nursery School were stunned to learn that the friendly man who fixed things around the school had once served time for possession of child pornography. The man, Travis Buffington, also lives on the grounds of the school, just feet from the playground. But that's only part of the story.
Parents were also shocked to learn that the pastor of the church is defending his actions, telling them he has no regrets for hiring Buffington. In a meeting Wednesday night, one parent described said Pastor Todd Thomas said he didn’t' see Buffington as a threat, so they shouldn't either. He told parents he has no intentions of firing Buffington, and that's a
decision that has some parents pulling their kids out of the school.
Ya think? I suppose any parent who cared about their child would pull them out of that school. I mean, why take a chance with your own child with someone who has known pedophilia tendencies!
Sex offender arrested after police say he roamed the halls of school
Police have arrested a registered sex offender after he got into Louisville’s collegiate school.
Police say that Dwayne Edward Gough was roaming the halls at the school and stole a book.
When officers arrived police say the suspect was in the parking lot and had alarmed students and staff.
Edward faces burglary charges.
Police say that Dwayne Edward Gough was roaming the halls at the school and stole a book.
When officers arrived police say the suspect was in the parking lot and had alarmed students and staff.
Edward faces burglary charges.
Sex offender’s bid for school councils raises questions
A registered sex offender was on the ballot this week for two Simpson County Site-Based Decision Making Council elections, raising concern among parents and educators and possibly spurring new state legislation.
Simpson County Superintendent Jim Flynn said Thursday that it was brought to his attention that a parent of children in the system, who was on the federal sex offender registry, was running for a position on the council that makes policy and decisions affecting the school.
Flynn said when he learned of the situation Thursday, he contacted school board attorneys and was advised there was nothing in the law “that prohibits or disqualifies a registered sex offender from holding (or being considered for) elected positions on SBDM councils.”
While stiff rules are in place requiring the screening of school volunteers from having contact or supervisory roles with students if they are convicted felons, nothing bars them from being elected into positions.
Kentucky law also prohibits sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of a school, playground or day care facility, but says nothing about being on school grounds or serving in roles such as PTOs.
Simpson County Superintendent Jim Flynn said Thursday that it was brought to his attention that a parent of children in the system, who was on the federal sex offender registry, was running for a position on the council that makes policy and decisions affecting the school.
Flynn said when he learned of the situation Thursday, he contacted school board attorneys and was advised there was nothing in the law “that prohibits or disqualifies a registered sex offender from holding (or being considered for) elected positions on SBDM councils.”
While stiff rules are in place requiring the screening of school volunteers from having contact or supervisory roles with students if they are convicted felons, nothing bars them from being elected into positions.
Kentucky law also prohibits sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of a school, playground or day care facility, but says nothing about being on school grounds or serving in roles such as PTOs.
Bill would bar some sex offenders from school grounds
LITTLE ROCK — Convicted sex offenders deemed to be a “Level 2” danger of being a repeat offender would not be allowed on school grounds under a bill recommended by the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.
Without dissent, the panel sent House Bill 1010 by Rep. Donna Hutchinson, R-Bella Vista, to the House floor.
Anyone convicted of a felony sexual offense is assessed by the state under a system that rates the future danger they pose on a scale of one to four, with four being the most dangerous. Level 3 and 4 offenders are already barred from school grounds.
Hutchinson told the committee that Level 2 offenders, their spouses and sympathizers have called and asked her not to pursue the bill, saying people can change and have sometimes “found Jesus.” She urged the panel members to be cautious and realize that not all turnarounds are real.
“I think Jesus can change lives. Unfortunately, he doesn’t turn us lime green when he does” to show it, Hutchinson said.
Without dissent, the panel sent House Bill 1010 by Rep. Donna Hutchinson, R-Bella Vista, to the House floor.
Anyone convicted of a felony sexual offense is assessed by the state under a system that rates the future danger they pose on a scale of one to four, with four being the most dangerous. Level 3 and 4 offenders are already barred from school grounds.
Hutchinson told the committee that Level 2 offenders, their spouses and sympathizers have called and asked her not to pursue the bill, saying people can change and have sometimes “found Jesus.” She urged the panel members to be cautious and realize that not all turnarounds are real.
“I think Jesus can change lives. Unfortunately, he doesn’t turn us lime green when he does” to show it, Hutchinson said.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Long Island High School AIDS scare
DA Seeks Alleged Victims of Infected Sex Offender
Concerned parents packed a Brentwood, N.Y., high school after learning a convicted sex offender with AIDS may have been around local children.
At Thursday night's meeting at Brentwood High School Superintendent Donna Jones said she had been told that Robert Musmacker may have had direct sexual contact with nearly 20 students.
New York authorities say a registered sex offender with AIDS is charged with reckless endangerment after being found during a traffic stop with a 16-year-old boy in his car.
The district attorney and police believe the boy may have been one of several victims with whom the suspect engaged in illegal sexual activity.
Musmaker's 1991 sodomy conviction required him to register as a Level 3 sex offender.
Concerned parents packed a Brentwood, N.Y., high school after learning a convicted sex offender with AIDS may have been around local children.
At Thursday night's meeting at Brentwood High School Superintendent Donna Jones said she had been told that Robert Musmacker may have had direct sexual contact with nearly 20 students.
New York authorities say a registered sex offender with AIDS is charged with reckless endangerment after being found during a traffic stop with a 16-year-old boy in his car.
The district attorney and police believe the boy may have been one of several victims with whom the suspect engaged in illegal sexual activity.
Musmaker's 1991 sodomy conviction required him to register as a Level 3 sex offender.
Gov. Jindal announces sex offense legislation
If a day care owner knowingly allows a registered sex offender to come onto the facility's property, that owner could be charged with a crime and face prison time, according to a proposed law by Gov. Bobby Jindal.
His words came about a month after a local day care owner's son, a registered sex offender, was arrested after being accused of sex crimes with children at the facility.
Other proposals listed by the governor would strengthen many existing sex offender laws, such as making some of the most violent sex offenders submit to psychiatric evaluation after their prison and parole terms end. If a psychiatric evaluator determined the offender was likely to commit a crime again, the change would mean a district attorney could request indefinite, forced evaluation of that person until he or she was deemed to be no longer a threat.
"If you are a monster who preys on children you better not be in Louisiana," Jindal said.
Great job Gov. Jindal!
His words came about a month after a local day care owner's son, a registered sex offender, was arrested after being accused of sex crimes with children at the facility.
Other proposals listed by the governor would strengthen many existing sex offender laws, such as making some of the most violent sex offenders submit to psychiatric evaluation after their prison and parole terms end. If a psychiatric evaluator determined the offender was likely to commit a crime again, the change would mean a district attorney could request indefinite, forced evaluation of that person until he or she was deemed to be no longer a threat.
"If you are a monster who preys on children you better not be in Louisiana," Jindal said.
Great job Gov. Jindal!
Temecula panel backs sex offender rules
A Temecula panel Thursday night threw its support behind a law to bar registered sex offenders from living near schools, parks and child day care centers.
Supported by city police, the ordinance would add teeth in Temecula to Jessica's Law, a statewide law passed by voters in 2006 that makes it illegal for offenders to reside near schools and parks.
The ordinance comes as Murrieta prepares to give final approval to its own sex offender law. The ordinance would prohibit any offender from loitering within 300 feet of a school, park or place where children gather.
Supported by city police, the ordinance would add teeth in Temecula to Jessica's Law, a statewide law passed by voters in 2006 that makes it illegal for offenders to reside near schools and parks.
The ordinance comes as Murrieta prepares to give final approval to its own sex offender law. The ordinance would prohibit any offender from loitering within 300 feet of a school, park or place where children gather.
San Antonio Teen Assaulted On The Way To School
Another post from www.keepschoolssafe.org
Again, I want to say first that I do not want to be an alarmist but after reading the news report on what happened to a young San Antonio girl while walking to school, I feel that the word should be spread as much as possible. According to My SA News, a 15-year-old girl was walking to school when she was approached by a man who then put a knife to her throat. The online news report has more details:
To be fair to the school and its authorities, they have not turned a blind eye to the situation. As a matter of fact, the school principal of Churchill High School, Jeff Vaughan, immediately sent out letters to parents that day. In the letters sent, he emphasized the importance of reminding the school children of safety habits that they should practice while walking to and from school. This simple move was in fact much appreciated by the parents and I understand quite well how that could be the case. If I were a parent with children going to that school, that move would reassure me that the school is aware of what is going on and that they will not let things slide.
Sending out a letter may seem trivial to some but I think that it is also a representation of how the school authorities address safety issues in general.
One interesting that I noticed in that article is the fact that the parents seem to have utmost confidence in the school authorities. The parents quoted in the article expressed their faith in the school’s safety measures and the people involved as well. I think that this kind of thinking is important. It actually hits two birds with one stone - the authorities feel the sense of responsibility even more and the parents rest assured that everything that can be done is being done. Of course, this is not to say that parents should not be vigilant themselves.
Again, I want to say first that I do not want to be an alarmist but after reading the news report on what happened to a young San Antonio girl while walking to school, I feel that the word should be spread as much as possible. According to My SA News, a 15-year-old girl was walking to school when she was approached by a man who then put a knife to her throat. The online news report has more details:
Police Chief William McManus said the victim, a 15-year-old, was walking
near Vista Nogal Street just north of the school when a man approached,
brandished a knife and demanded she give him her cell phone.
The man then changed his mind, put the knife to the student’s throat
and ordered her to take off her clothes, McManus said. The man then sexually
assaulted her in a wide ditch that runs parallel to Vista Nogal.
To be fair to the school and its authorities, they have not turned a blind eye to the situation. As a matter of fact, the school principal of Churchill High School, Jeff Vaughan, immediately sent out letters to parents that day. In the letters sent, he emphasized the importance of reminding the school children of safety habits that they should practice while walking to and from school. This simple move was in fact much appreciated by the parents and I understand quite well how that could be the case. If I were a parent with children going to that school, that move would reassure me that the school is aware of what is going on and that they will not let things slide.
Sending out a letter may seem trivial to some but I think that it is also a representation of how the school authorities address safety issues in general.
One interesting that I noticed in that article is the fact that the parents seem to have utmost confidence in the school authorities. The parents quoted in the article expressed their faith in the school’s safety measures and the people involved as well. I think that this kind of thinking is important. It actually hits two birds with one stone - the authorities feel the sense of responsibility even more and the parents rest assured that everything that can be done is being done. Of course, this is not to say that parents should not be vigilant themselves.
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