Police look into alleged Megan’s Law violation
State police trooper Jeff Ramsey said the Uniontown station is investigating an alleged violation of the Megan’s Law statute in German Township. According to Ramsey, the Megan’s Law statute requires sex offenders to register and verify their address annually.
Ramsey said the man under investigation last verified his address in 1996 after being released from prison.
Ramsey did say, however, that sometimes there are extenuating circumstances, and offenders who do not register on a regular basis are not always prosecuted.
“We are talking to District Attorney Nancy Vernon’s office about this case,” said Ramsey. “But that doesn’t necessarily mean that this man will be prosecuted.”
Ramsey said there are two categories of offenders that fall under the law: sexual offenders and sexually violent predators.
He also said that the man police are investigating is listed as a sexual offender.
“The purpose of Megan’s Law is to protect the safety and welfare of the general public by proving for registration of sexual offenders and sexually violent predators,” said Ramsey. “A sexual offender is an individual who has been convicted of a sexual offense.”
Under Megan’s Law, the community is supposed to be notified when a sexual predator is in their neighborhood.
A sexual offender or sexually violent offender who does not comply with the law could face stiff fines and additional prison time, according to Ramsey.
He said sexual offenders subject to the 10-year registration period who fail to obey Megan’s Law commit a felony of the third degree, which is punishable by seven years in prison and/or a maximum fine of $15,000.
Sexually violent predators and sexual offenders subject to the lifetime registration period who don’t comply with the law commit a first-degree felony and face life in prison and/or a $25,000 fine.