Uniontown man wanted for violating Megan’s Law turns himself in to police
After reading a newspaper article that he was a wanted man for failing to comply with Megan’s Law violations, a convicted sexual offender turned himself in to police Tuesday.
Uniontown police Detective Donald M. Gmitter said Timothy Allen Smith, 41, of Uniontown was charged Tuesday afternoon before Magisterial District Judge Michael M. Metros with violating Megan’s Law as a non-compliant sex offender after he failed to register as a sex offender for nearly a decade.
“He spent several years in prison for charges of attempted rape and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse in 1997 and then, following his release, registered as a sexual offender in 2001 and 2002. After that, he never registered again, which is illegal,” Gmitter said.
Gmitter said Smith completed his last required registration July 15, 2002, with state police.
Smith told police that when he saw his photograph in the newspaper and discovered that he was wanted, he immediately turned himself in.
Gmitter said he identified Smith as a non-compliant sexual offender while participating recently in an identification and warrant service for sex offenders in violation of state law.
Gmitter said he joined in the collaborative effort by federal, state and local law enforcement, which resulted in the capture of nearly three dozen wanted sex offenders in western Pennsylvania during a sweep conducted in May and June.
More than 100 sex offenders were tracked down and taken into custody statewide during what officials named Operation Grand Slam, police said.
In most cases, the sex offenders were wanted for failing to comply with annual registration and other requirements for sex offenders under Megan’s Law, similar to the charges levied against Smith.
Megan’s Law is the informal name given to the nationwide requirement of police to provide information to the public regarding registered sex offenders and also encompasses the requirements upon offenders to register with their local police and follow federal, state and local regulations for convicted sex offenders.
Gmitter said officers worked to identify violators in their designated area and then obtained warrants for their arrest, as was the case with Smith.
He said that whether it is through the media or simply by word of mouth, the public plays an important role in police work and maintaining safety and security for area residents.
“I have said it many times before but it really holds true. We will do everything we can as police officers to protect area residents, but they act as our eyes and ears in many instances and are vital to maintaining public safety,” Gmitter said.
Smith was placed in Fayette County Prison on $25,000 straight cash bond following his arraignment Tuesday.
A preliminary hearing for Smith will be held at a later date before Metros.