Uniontown man fights failure to comply with Megan’s Law charge
The attorney for a Uniontown man accused of failing to comply with Megan’s Law registry requirements argued in Fayette County Court that his client should not be prosecuted, because he didn’t receive a letter notifying him when to register.
Bernard L. Richardson, 59, of 144 Searight Ave., was convicted of indecent assault of a person under age 13 in 2005. The crime is a Tier III offense under Megan’s Law, meaning that Richardson is required to report to an approved registration site every three months for the rest of his life.
Richardson was absent from Wednesday’s hearing, but Assistant Public Defender David Kaiser represented him in court.
Although Kaiser said it’s Richardson’s contention that he never received a letter notifying him that he should register between Oct. 9 and Nov. 8, Assistant District Attorney Meghann Mikluscak pointed out that offenders are required to register whether they receive the letter or not.
Mikluscak said the instruction sheet that Richardson was required to sign when he first registered under Megan’s Law and which he continues to sign each time he registers, states: “Failure to receive your registration letter does not relieve you of your obligation to register.”
According to testimony from Uniontown police Officer Frederick Kampert, who went to Richardson’s residence on Dec. 10 to investigate the claim that he failed to comply with registration requirements, Richardson acknowledged that failure immediately.
Kampert testified that, as soon as he told Richardson he was there to verify the man’s address pursuant to Megan’s Law, Richardson said, “Oh, no, I forgot to go last month. I’ll go tomorrow.”
Senior Judge Gerald R. Solomon said he would take the matter under consideration and decide on the matter at a later date.