MO - My story Failure to register

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By SD:
In the State of Missouri those that predate January 1 1995 are not required to register under State law due to the States Constitutions 13th amendment. But they claim that there is a federal obligation to register with the State. So the State will charge and convict those that predate the law under state law due to federal obligation.

In 2010 I was charged with a State law of failure to register. By this time I had done my research and had only to put a few things together. I was ready. By 2012 my case was dismissed without a word. I can’t even find a clue as to why. But I do know why. I had forced my public defender to ask a couple of questions I wanted answers to.

My questions were simple. If I am not required to register under State law due to the State Constitution then why am I being charged under a State law? If I am required to register with the State under a Federal obligation thus a Federal law then why am I not charged with USC 2250 failure to register under Federal law?

I also gave my public defender research that I was working on. I will give you an idea as what this research consisted of so you can look things up.

According to the US Supreme Court when one case results in two upheld verdicts (both standing) that may conflict with one another the State is required to ensure that no one is charged within such a conflict. If the State fails to do so and the defendant is forced to correct the matter then the State must pay without argument.

This was the first bit of research that I gave out. So my questions were backed up by case law and were starting to cause trouble. So all I had to do was show that there was indeed conflict between the two verdicts to cause the court to try and figure out how to get around this whole issue. I knew there was only one way. That is if I didn’t bring it up formally in the court. At the time I had reason not to.

Back in the 1800s the Missouri Constitution had an amendment that required people to swear an oath that they had nothing to do with fighting against the Union Army. This amendment found its way into the US Supreme Court and the court was trying to figure out how to remove it from Missouri’s Constitution. When the court looked to Congress as a possible they found that the US Constitution had something to say on the subject. The result is that Congress can not pass a law nor be seen to have passed a law that violates a States Constitution.

That got me looking for more on the subject and I found plenty. I gave this to my public defender and the court was silent from there on. I had shown that there was indeed a conflict. So for almost a year it was just going in to get a new date to go back to court to get a new date.

I continued to give out other findings of my research each time I saw my public defender. I gave him little things that showed that I could indeed win a case against the State. There is no way I could post all my research on this matter here. But at least you got a basic idea where to start looking.

Child custody brings new charges

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By Rail Roaded:
I have a sex assault conviction in 1994 for pinching a nine year old girl inappropriately. Yes, I was messed up and high and yes, I did plea guilty to it in order to plea bargain and avoid jail time. I was naive.

I was sentenced to 4 years probation and classes. I was not required to register. There was no registration requirement in Colorado until three months after my conviction. A Year later I was required to register retroactively. That is additional, retro-active punishment.

I completed my classes, but failed probation and was revoked for drug use/failed urinalysis. I did use drugs. I readily take responsibility for that. I was sentenced to Six years in prison.

It get's so much worse. Read on.

After completing prison and still a level one offender now 14 years offense free, and one who's name did NOT show up on the internet, I met and fell in love with a woman in Arkansas I should have avoided. We birthed a beautiful baby boy and our relationship fell apart.

This woman has a known reputation for filing false charges and mental health concerns, although highly intelligent and manipulative.

When she began to act more and more toxic and insane around our baby, I did what any father would do. I filed for custody in the Arkansas family Courts.

She had a son whom I had contact with. He was fourteen. The week I filed for custody, the son claimed I had touched him inappropriately a year prior, not remembering when exactly. There was no date, no proof, no witness and he waited a year until he reported in conclusion of me wanting custody of his half brother- my new baby.

As a previous convicted sex offender I was arrested, held on a $1 million dollar bond and charged with a new sex offense as well as failure to register.

The young man would not show up on the day of trial. I was told I would get twelve years in prison for failure to register (statute allowed it) unless I plead to a non-sex class A misdemeanor for simple assault. Time served. I then took a plea bargain on the failure to register and did my one year in jail. I was in jail a month when SORSA came to the jail and said I had a new sex offense (remember I plead to a misdemeanor, non-sex offense for assault) and I was elevated to a class III sex offender requiring community notification and living restrictions. This is Arkansas and in that State there are 4 levels, not III like most States. I was now a level III. Not the highest.

I paroled to Washington State and because I was a level III ( unjustly) in Arkansas, second to highest level, Washington now had to put me as a level III (Highest Level!)

My life has been a living hell. I can't find a place to live. I live in a garage. I tried to open a business but I couldn't. I wear an ankle bracelet and I have more restrictions than you can count. It is now 21 years since my initial and only sex offense. I have lifetime, level III registration, my ex has blogged me and my business all over the internet. I am absolutely miserable and absolutely angry and bitter.

Those of you who are SO's know about sexual history polygraphs. I've taken six in the last 21 years and passed each and every one of them which limit my one offense in 1994 as the only thing I have EVER done that was inappropriate.

We have to rally together and repeal these registration laws and we also have to start filing civil charges against anyone who posts untrue, misleading or anonymous web blogs and posts about us. I need serious help in dealing with the injustices.

I read a great blog about the ridiculousness of registration and actual, hard data at www.thechurchthatgiveshope.org

Sentence Extended

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By No Chance:
I was sentenced to 8 months for "Sexual Assault of a Child" 15 years ago. Since then I have had many people give me a chance. Even with being a Registered Sex Offender.

On here it says How the offenders and their families are persecuted. Will, they are not the only ones. All my friends have come to me saying how they are being harassed by people for being friends with me. Luckily enough they have hung in there for me.

I know I did a terrible thing. I have been paying for what I did for over a decade and sincerely believe I will be paying for it for the rest of my life.

I just wish my friends, family, and girlfriend didn't have to go through this too. The only thing they did was trust me. Why should they have to pay for that.

TN - The Insanity of the SOR

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By Freedom Lost:
I pled guilty to a charge of sexual battery in 2001. The "alleged" crime was against a women I lived with and had consensual sexual relations with. I pled guilty because of a little practice called prosecutorial blackmail. They used other charges with threat of maximum time to coerce a guilty plea. Nevertheless, that is not my story; In 2010 approaching the 10 year termination from the sex offender registry I contacted the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation requesting release from the registry. The first letter of response indicated all that was required was for me to go personally to a field office and submit fingerprints. I was incarcerated for unrelated charges and could not immediately comply. The following year pending my release I again wrote a letter requesting termination. I was informed that I would not be eligible for termination until April 20, 2020 more than 19 years after conviction. I have proof of registration and the State has stipulated in court documents that I was registered without violation in 2007 (ONLY BECAUSE I HAD A COMPUTER PRINTOUT FROM THE T.B.I. WEBSITE WITH MY PICTURE ON IT)

I began litigating this case pro-se in 2011 in Federal Court, that case is on hold pending state process. I filed a petition in State court in December 2013. I am still waiting for a decision. The states most recent position is that I was release without serving the one year sentence of my conviction. How could I be registered if I had never served the sentence? I now have an attorney and will continue to fight this case all the way back to Federal Court if necessary. If anyone has advice, resources, or input. Please post to this website. I have considered going to the media (20/20 or even Dr. Phil) This case needs media exposure so people will know the kinds of things the states are doing.

Thank you for you time and interest.

SC - Everyone not treated the same

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By Steven:
I was arrested in 2009 for touching a teenager while extremely intoxicated. No excuse but still it happened. It was never something that I intended to do or planned but still the same it happened. I plead to Lewd act and was given 6 years in prison and 5 years probation. I served 3 years in prison and took the 6 month course for sex offenders in prison. Upon release, I still had to take a year long course at $25 a week, Pay probation $20 a week and was put on a monitor which is another $40 a week. Total I had to pay $85 a week and just getting out of prison had no job. Thanks to family I was able to keep up the payments and after a year am still unable to get work due to the charge. I have finished the class and now only have to pay $60 a week. Of course if you do not pay they will violate you but no one will hire me. Now I have been told that the monitor that I am wearing will continue the rest of my life due to new South Carolina laws (or as long as I am on the registry). I don't mind the registry but the monitoring seems to me to go to far. The biggest thing is that several of the guys that were in my year long class had the same charge or worse charges, but they are not on monitoring .Most did not even get prison time. It all depends on how much money you have and what attorney you had and the sentence can be night and day! The law states that anyone with CSC1 or Lewd act must me on electronic monitoring but yet not all judges put them on it. I am fortunate in that I have family helping me, but not everyone does. And what happens when my probation is over? If I move out of state will I still have to have the monitor? I am 60 years old and this was the first time I have ever been accused of something like this. Sometimes I think that it would have been better if I had murdered someone, they don't have to register. It just sucks. But I am going to try and take it to court as my probation term nears its end. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

24 yrs of hell but I'm surviving

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By Doug:
After reading many of other members stories, I noticed many of the same frustrations and questions. I am compelled to tell my story to help support others and possibly get some in return.

My first wife falsely accused me of raping my 2 yr old daughter in 1990. I suppose only she truly knows why, buy as for me I can only speculate. She had been involved in an affair in which I tried to gain custody of our daughter but backed out and attempted to reconcile. A short time later she gave birth to a son (most likely another man's child). That child was sickly and was in and out of the hospital every other week. I had to work and take care of our daughter when they were at the hospital. I also had an accident that put me out of work during this time for 6 months.We were actively discussing divorce and when I went back to work I put in for a transfer to get closer to home as a means of still trying to make my marriage work. The day before my transfer I was arrested and charged with rape. It was a holiday weekend but my folks were able to bond me out before the Judge left town. That same night I discovered my wife had a new man with her (She eventually married him). I can be a bit naive at times but I am certain he must have already been in the picture and her second affair was in full swing. I spent from 1990 to 1999 fighting for simple visitation, on repeated false accusations that were later dropped. In 1999 I was on my third marriage and in good standing to get full custody of my children, due to the repeated antics of my X wife. A few months before that court date I was surprised by a newspaper article saying I had been indited by the Grand Jury. This time it was a charge coming from one of my current wife's non-custodial children. To make a long story short, I had to abandon my custody hopes and due to court rules of admissibility, my lawyers convinced me that a plea bargain was my best hope. (During this time I had an emotional break down and attempted suicide) It was a case of a child's word against mine. I have not touched any of these children, but with SO stigma, it simply was not a risk I was willing to take and gamble with my freedom. I took a plea of abuse 2nd (I was told it didn't require registration) Later I discovered that wasn't true.

After my plea adjusting to life as a RSO has been difficult and depressing to say the least. I have tortured myself with worry and depression. I've lived through the relationship breakdowns and heartaches from X's attempting custody because of me. We all know who the looser is in these scenarios. The problem being most of us have the same basic human need to be loved (Normal Adult Relationships). I've had to not pursue relationships because of children. I've had grandchildren used as a vice. Thank God I have a wife that is sticking by my side. There are still events that cause drama, but Faith in God and holding your head high is the best advice I can give. You don't OWE anybody shit, except the same courtesy you expect in return. Above all be honest from the start and mistrust in the system is well earned.

PA - Being murdered by doctors in my town/state

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By Crystal:
Since 2005 I have been being accused of a sex offense against a family member and am being flat out murdered by doctors here in my town/state. I am suffering right now in my house unable to breathe with a heart condition and no doctor in my county will help me. I have not be convicted of any crime nor have I ever been brought up of charges for any crime. I don't know what to do. I have a child here that still needs me and I'm to ill to do all the things I need to do as a mom. Can you all help me in any way my number is 717-786-5699

NC - Wrong age, wrong day.

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By Wrong Guy in NC:
its not too many talks of what really goes on in NC, so I'll enlighten everyone. My eyes have seen much pain but none like this. One day, I meet a female. Claims she's 18, I didn't check the signs of deceit until I was in too deep. She admits she's 15, I knew I messed up. Hadn't I just said I'm good at first, my downfall would've been overturned. After she's skipped school, came to my house, even ran away, the downward spiral gotten deeper. The cops wouldn't believe my statements, the pressure got me so intense, I said I was the last guy to have sexual intercourse with her, knowing I'd lied and put myself in harm's way. I had all the evidence that led to me actually being in another place at another time, but nobody listened. Maybe a few. My DNA wasn't recovered, nothing else. Only a lie.. Spent most of my days hiding, looking for a way out. Lawyers can't do a thing, nobody can. The girl who got me into this still manages to find me saying "we need to talk".. Until I turn 33-35, imma be on the LIST.

Indiana: My Prison

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By TJ420:
I was convicted of "Sexual Misconduct with a Minor" in mid 2001. I was 23 and my girlfriend was 17. Legal age of consent in Indiana is 16. I was sentenced to 6 years of prison time. I did 6 months in the county jail, 2.5 years in prison, 5 years probation, and 10 years on the registry. Finding a job wasn't easy at all, and I have several years experience as a welder, auto-body technician, roofer, and machine operator. Pretty much, the only jobs I could find were "under the table jobs"! In most cases, as soon as I said something about being on the registry, I was booted out the door, got the "we don't have anything at this time!", or not given the chance to explain the situation! My 10 years on the registry completely sucked! I dealt with it, though it was extremely hard at times. Many times I contemplated ending my life. I always thought twice about it though. I have 2 kids and a wife, so I knew that was NOT an option! I am still with the woman I got this charge over and we have 2 kids together. After being let off the registry after 10 years, it took another 3 or 4 months to get myself removed from other random private/public registries.(to anyone who only has the 10 year registry, when you're released, make sure you check the internet for other registries!) I have since got a really good job as a welder/fabricator. I am, however, confined to the state of Indiana. The reason I say this, is because, if I move to another state, I have to re-register as a sex offender for another 10 years, or in some cases, for life. That's the case for most states that I have researched. I think I have paid my debt to society, plain and simple! I have not re-offended and have no reason to, I work everyday, and I support my wife and kids. I look at it like this; dating a younger woman may have been a mistake/wrong in some peoples eyes, but in mine, well, we're still together and have two beautiful, very smart kids, and my wife is 100% faithful, as am I! And I will say this, Indiana's SO rules and regulations are the most lenient of the 40 some states I researched, in my opinion, that is.

Because of one womans jealously over another

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By Not Guilty:
My voice shakes after 8.5 years of incarceration. I have been humbled through and through; and yet, nothing will stop me from trying to pronounce the truth of my situation.

My story starts as a young boy of 17 determined to provide for the live my soon to be daughter deserved. I chose to join the U.S.A.F. and decided it was time to be the man she deserved.

While in the service, I found out my "ex" was rather promiscuous while I was away. I decided to move back and try at the very lease to be there for my daughter. Regretfully, at that age, the folly that was to become known to me by staying with one woman for the sake of a child was unknown to me.

I soon became disenchanted with the situation and decided to move on with my live. I wound up falling in love with another woman whom blessed me with another beautiful daughter we moved in together. Perfect life at 23, 35k a year, new home, new wife, new baby... Until.

Everything was well until my "ex" found out that my youngest daughter was destined to join us in this world. She became jealous that I wouldn't cheat on the woman I now loved and refused me visitation of my oldest daughter. So, I refused to pay my child support. This led to me filing paperwork at a county court asking for supervised visitation, which, after a court hearing and many questions later was granted.

My "ex" refused to bring our daughter to these visitations 14 of 16 times. So like any concerned father would do, I filed more paper work to prove her willful misconduct.

Funny enough, the day my "ex" was to receive her bench warrant for failure to follow a court order, she accused me of molesting my own baby girl.

After a 4.5 hour interview with the police desperately trying to explain my innocence, I was released. Three months later, I was charged and arrested with the rape (two finger penetration) of my own daughter. I was arrested at work and committed in the county jail.

I was threatened with 20-40 years and offered a 2.5-5 year sentence if I would just admit to something I DID NOT DO. I was kick around by staff and inmates alike and placed in solitary confinement "for my own safety," according to prison officials.

After three months, I was given a trial where they withdrew "rape" charges which were changed to Agg. Ind. Ass. of a minor. At trial, there was no medical documentation, no witnesses, no proof presented by a PA District Attorney. Just the word of two detective that stated on court transcript that they destroyed there original handwritten records after they took 5 hours to compile there notes. (I hope you caught that, 4 hour interview takes 5 hours to compile notes?) There was no video or audio recording of what those detectives allege was a complete and utter confession.

I pled not guilty. I was subsequently convicted and sentenced to 3.5 - 10 years.

Someone how, I though racism was dead. I being a child on the 90's as a white man, took a black lawyer to a white affluent county and wholeheartedly believed the truth would set me free. I WAS WRONG! All he could see was easy money. $30K later, he stipulated to the testimony of every witness I had. The end, guilty.. Over..

8.5 years later, I am still fighting my case and I will do so for the rest of my natural life. The ONLY thing I wanted was for my daughter to know that I would not stop fighting for her. But as they say, no good deed goes unpunished. Thank you for such a website. To those in a similar situation, your not alone. Admitedlyl, after having been in prison, there are some really bad people out there. But I learned my lesson in judging someone by everyone else says...

P.S. - I now go to college for an Assoc. in Paralegal. From prison, I was able to help many others under Alleyne v. US, (U.S. 2013). Any help or suggestions to help others would be appreciated. I am 4 months out of prison after 8.5 years and am determined to help those in a similar situation. Keep hope and faith alive... God bless.

The effects of S.O. registry to the family members

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By Hard Life:
I am a wife of a very low to no risk R.S.O. We are so affected with this SORNA and International Megan's Law. The majority of my immediate family members are living abroad (third world country). They cannot come to USA at all. Me and my family can visit them anytime before. Now, we are so scared that my husband will be denied entry in any country abroad. We cannot travel outside USA anymore. We felt that the new law is a double jeopardy. My husband did his time, not on any parole or probation. He is supposedly free man, except the burden of registering. No other convictions or sex offense. He was framed up by his own biological father 28 years ago. During that time, he was young and so naive. Convicted without proper trial. He tried every possible way to be accepted in this society and to protect us his family from the SO stigma.

Now, we felt that the new S.O. law punishing him again for a lifetime for making USA as a cage. Now, this country became a jail for him and for his entire family. The only few weeks a year we can have to spend time personally with our immediate family abroad were terminated by this new law. This registry and SO national database that black lists S.O. are creating damage to more people. It is not protecting the public. Instead it ruins family relationships, SO family members morale and dignity, and more.

There are more people out there that endangers the public like terrorists, bombers, sex and human traffickers, drug dealers, serial killers, serial kidnappers and rapist, and more. And yet, the registry is focusing on sex offenders only. The law should make an exemptions and review each individual cases accordingly before subjecting the offenders to this cruel and inhumane law.

I wish the government will open their ears and eyes to the plea of these concerned people. No one is perfect. Many are offenders, the only difference is, their offenses were not reported and they were given a second chance. They know it. It is their conscience and guilt that will hunt them down. If you are a person who can help in this situation, please help. Help the poor families being affected with this law. The offenders paid their debts in the society. They were stripped of every single rights they had. They cannot get jobs to support their families. Their families were put into shame, traumatized, and stigma for the rest of their lives.

Many of these offenders just wanted to have a normal life, a second chance, and understanding. If the government can give a second chance to other ex-convicts, why the low risk offenders cannot have the same treatment.

WE NEED HELP!!

The Lie Detector and the Sex Offender

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By James:
I just received a letter in the mail from my Probation Officer that he has scheduled me for a Lie Detector test/polygraph test in a few weeks. He had brought it up and ask me if I had taken one and I told him no during my last visit to him. I didn't think much of it but I was so shocked when that letter arrived I didn't know what to do. I called him up and said I was a conscience objector and on that note he said you don't want us to have to take you in front of the judge.

Sure anyone would be upset that one has to go thru this. I have been on probation for about 2 years and they gave me sex offender classes for six weeks before they gave me a medical discharge. While I never had any victim from this internet sex sting operation I don't know what they are looking for.

Sure I have a blemish on my probation from Halloween by being late getting in that night but I spent 7 days in jail for that one other than that I have not violated even thou I'm still looking for work. I'm sure others are going thru this same situation and it is nerve wracking to say the least.

I have a nervous conduction and since my offense was more of a deception I would think that might be grounds in getting out of all this crap. I don't even know what question's they ask or anything really about all this. Maybe I can get some advice from you all. That would really because I feel intimidated at all this.

My True Sentence

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By Guilty:
In 1996 I committed the crime of first degree rape of a child.

I was offered a plea and sentenced to 147 months. With good behavior I got out a after 10 years and 9 months.

While in prison I completed the Sex Offender Treatment Program and even six years after my parole, I see a therapist weekly.

Yes I paid my "Debt to society". But I have been troubled with severe depression and recently realized that life in prison, or even death can't spare me my true sentenced. Guilt...

I, rightly so, feel the weight of my actions when I think about the child I hurt, his mother, our families and friends. Actions of this nature affect an entire community.

I can't look at myself in the mirror some days, not wanting to see my mugshot starting back at me. I feel as though my sentence should have been worse. I was released from my prison, but my victim and his family don't get that opportunity. They live day in and day out in the prison labeled "Victim". Where is the justice in that?

I'm not looking for sympathy, I earned my punishment and worse. This was something I have just realized and wanted to share.

Guilty

Life of an S.O.

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By C:
I have struggled with disabilities since birth which have caused me to be a little slower than most people and not using good judgment. That, and growing up in a small town. I was prior to and after my conviction very well known. To this day I still am, despite my status. Now at the time of my arrest almost 10 years ago, my parents said I was 26 but had the mentality of a teenager due to my disabilities. You see, when I was 24 way back in 2003, I dated a girl who was younger than I was. Of course 2 years later I was arrested and charged with 3 counts of rape of a child 3rd degree despite the fact it was consensual and never was forced. Unfortunately I was never given a plea agreement by the prosecutor and over the course of 9 months, my case dragged out eventually going to trial where I was convicted. Two months later I was given a 53 month sentence where upon instead of being sent to prison, I was given a sentencing alternative and started probation. The next 4 year's of probation of course was hell. Flash forward to 2010, I'm 2 months away from finishing probation and my p.o. decides to violate me because I was in a relationship with a woman who was 8 years older than I was, along with a couple technical violations. My probation was revoked and I spent the next 28 months in prison, releasing right before Christmas 2012. Upon release, I luckily did not have supervision again, thank God...and started to put my life back together, or at least try to. I met the most wonderful woman in 2013 and now because of my status has had to move out of state due to a custody battle with her ex husband. In 2014, someone called CPS on my girlfriend because I had been helping her babysit her daughter who is absolutely adorable. I loved her and treated her as if she was my own daughter. However, because of my status, my girlfriend now has to fight for custody of her daughter. Being an S.O. has been rough. I've lost friends and girlfriends because of my status. A lot of people who see me as an S.O. stereotype me with all the rest. And I think that was the case with CPS. They stereotyped me as well, never even interviewing me before making their finding. I think that if a person is going to judge a s.o. they really need to look at the whole picture instead of automatically jumping to conclusions. Thanks!

Injustice System

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By Jerry Oldaker:
Eleven years ago after battling for about nine years in the courts against the local Child Protective Services it looked like I was about to win yet another battle. I was wrong, dead wrong. Early one morning while I was getting ready to leave for work a detective shows up at my door wanting to talk to me. As I was on the way out he said he could talk to me later.

I found out later once I had left he and another detective had entered my home and seized several items for an investigation. They took some Playboy magazines, my entire computer, and some videos they claimed later were pornographic (sorry they were not). I still have the paperwork for the items taken, although I got them many years later.

A couple hours after I had seen the first detective, another detective and him show up at my work place. They take me down for questioning. Once there, they claim my wife told them everything. I said, "Everything as in what?" as I had no clue. Apparently she had claimed I had touched my son on several occasions inappropriately.

When they said this I got very angry as no such thing has ever occurred. In fact I was sure they were making this up and it was somehow tied to the CPS case. When I asked for a lawyer I was promptly arrested. They also told me what they took and as soon as the FBI examined my computer they would have evidence of child porn as another charge.

When I went for the bond hearing the cops were in the other room getting the warrant for searching my house (after the fact?).

After about a year of refusing several plea deals, my "court appointed" attorney say we pretty much could not win this case. I said I don't want to plea to a falsehood, or any sex charges. I kind of on a wild rant threw out the possibility of taking one if it was not permanent and we could bring it back to the courts later once the child was older and we could call him into courts. He said there was, it was called an Alford plea. To this day I still don't know what Alford plea really means, and he never did it that way in the end anyways, even though that's what I wanted. I also got all sex charges dropped, though the judge still tacked on registration as a sex offender.

I didn't find out my plea was not retractable until I had five months in. If I had not asked to retract it then I probably still would not know.

So I was convicted in 2004 and in 2005 due to the plea thing being totally messed up somehow I filed a habeas corpus. I was pretty sure it would get thrown out immediately. To my surprise it was not.

Around 2009 I finally had a hearing and my new attorney had brought the now ex-wife to testify. I was furious as I did not want her slandering me yet again and jumped on him for even thinking of bringing her in. To my shock she admitted lying about the entire story, on the stand, in court, on the record. Admitted framing me and everything.

Well here it is now 2014, I have never heard a thing from the courts granted or denied, I still can't find a job because of this on my record which shouldn't be, and I am still having to register. I don't know what else I can do. It seems something should have been done.

FL - Innocent Victim

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By Sloan44:
It is my wife that is the innocent victim in this case. I was arrested in 2000 for downloading six photos of a minor. My time has been completed,service rendered. I moved from Florida after time completed and met the most wonderful women ever,we married that year. The property we were to share our lives on was set in a small town in Ohio. I followed rules and registered at the local sheriffs office,only to find the property to be 86 feet shy of the 1000 foot rule. I had to find another place,pack and leave. These unjust laws just separated two newlyweds. I located a trailer park two miles away, I then registered it with local police. My wife,when we met,suffered from heart disease with three stints in her heart.She could not tend to chores on the five acre property so I was there to run the tractor and household repairs. I did visit her daily (Ohio law,at the time,could not prevent me from visiting) and she would visit at my place.One day after mowing the lawn the local deputies came to the door asking for me. That is when I was arrested for failing to register my address.The law claimed I was not living at the trailer park I registered under. I got out on bail and then presented proof to the police. I presented them with my rent receipt given to me,and dated,the day prior to my arrest.They would not believe me and would not drop charges. I hired an attorney, we went to the courthouse, and in while speaking with the attorney he would exit a couple times to speak with the prosecuting attorney prior to trial. He returned saying he got the charges down to "Attempted to fail registration" which was a misdemeanor. I said "NO I am innocent". That is when my wife looked at me with tears running and said to me: "Honey,I know your right but..my heart, I cant take much more of this". That is when, for the sake of her health, I bit the bullet and took the offer. I paid my fines and community service in that county of Ohio. There are many eyes and ears in that small town/county and we found it was ones down the road that made the charge. My wife and I spoke,I would leave first and she would follow. I notified the law, then relocated to Florida. My wife's family, property, is in this small town and,from time to time, she must travel there to handle matters. This recent time is when she had health problems. It was found that three arteries were blocked, one was 85%,one 90%. A cardiologist ordered a angioplasty. It was rough but after four hours, and extra attempts, they were cleared. Since we met she had other heart stints placed but this surgery made heart stint #14 and #15. And I could not be there. I could not stay on our property nor do I have the money for a hotel/motel. My wife fears that I may be arrested by the same county sheriff (Whom was out for blood the first time) will cause trouble again. She was released but the next day she was back in for severe pain radiating from shoulder to chest, and she remains there at this time. But again, the fear of being there and problems with the sheriff,( mainly her being in fear of my welfare ) I am unable to be at her side. I am in tears daily as she is as well. I would not doubt that some heart stints,needed to be inserted, were based on the pressure she went through regarding the registry. When we married the words of Matthew 19:6 were spoken. But that does not mean anything to the ones that make these unjust laws that hurt innocent family members of registrants. This sex offender registry must be abolished!

OR - I am ordained and sex offender

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By Rev. Raymond Eli:
I did six years in Oregon prison system and found God while I was there and the church that ordained me still allowed me to be ordained even after I told them what I did. Next year is my tenth year and I have chance to be removed from the list. I already have a lawyer ready to work with me and I want to tell my story. With my faith I found a way to build a program to help more like me get better. And I want to counsel those of whom could use my help. Because I know I can change these people from being bad to good once more. I did it and I know I can help others do it as well.

WI - Help me

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By Joey Oneill:
17 years ago I made a horrible decision, so absolutely wrong that to this day it makes me sick just thinking about it. I don’t like to talk about it, I coward when confronted with it. I feel like I have to hide in the shadows and hope no one will recognize me. I’m afraid most of the time. This is how I feel today 17 years later; I pray to god that he takes me away.

17 years ago I had consented sex with a 15 year old girl, her parents didn’t feel the same way. I was convicted of 2nd degree sexual assault of a child. I have never done anything like that before or since. I do not want to get into the circumstances of what happened, I give you permission to get all of my court records. I would like to concentrate on who I’ve become since then.

16 years ago I met my late wife; she was a beautiful and caring person that was my soul mate. We were married in 2002 for 8 years, we were together for 12 and we lived at _____ for them 12 years. She passed away in 2010 of breast cancer. I continued to live at this address for 4 more years; the house was foreclosed on 2014. We add a good marriage and we loved each other very much. For the last four years I have helped run a fundraiser to benefit a local breast cancer victims, we have raised over $15,000. I participate in the dragon boat races which benefits cancer victims, I rock for a reason which is another benefit for cancer, and I grow my hair to donate to locks of love. I have not been in any trouble for over 15 years, not so much as a speeding ticket. I have for the last 17 years done everything they have asked me to do. My sentence was 4 months in jail and 4 years’ probation which was completed in 2001 along with all the groups they had me go to and all of the fines that I had to pay.

I could not afford the house after my wife died and the kids didn’t make it any easier. When I received the letter telling me, I have to vacate the house. I panicked and told the truth on my last report to the sex offender registry; that I was homeless and that I was thinking about moving out of state which is just over the bridge, I didn’t move out of state but I am still homeless. I did not know that I was required to report once a week, once when I became homeless, I stay with family and friends and sometimes in my car, I never stay to long cause I don’t think it’s fair to label my family and friends houses with my label (sex offender). I cannot find a job or a place to live because of this crime I commented 17 years ago. Things were getting bad and I needed help so I contacted the department of correction to see if they could help me with some housing. I had just applied for disability and for low income housing. I was denied housing because of my crime and I could appeal but I needed proof that I was better, and the only proof I thought I could get was from the department of correction that’s why I contacted them. First I contacted them over the phone and the lady in Madison WI, told me that she had sent a referral to the DA, because I was non complaint because I’m supposed to report once a week because I was homeless. So I asked her if I should go and turn myself in, the lady in Madison said no but gave me another number to call so I called and that lady was not going to be in for a couple of days. My phone ran out of minute so I decided to go talk to her directly to straighten this out and ask for help with housing. I went to the probation office to get ahold of the second lady but the police came and arrested me did not read me my rights or let me make a phone call, the next day I went to court and the referral said that I have to report all changes within 10 days and they don’t believe that I am homeless because I have had no contact with the police. Now I am looking at $10,000 fine and or 6 years in prison for something I didn’t know I had to do. For 17 years I reported and if I had known that I had to report once a week once I became homeless I surly would have done so.

I just can’t tell you how much this is affecting my life, how tortured I feel. I know what I did was wrong and I’m very ashamed and sorry for what I did, but it was a mistake and I have paid for that mistake over and over again. I am not suicidal but I am looking for a way out because I cannot live this way for the rest of my life. Every time I have to tell people that I am a sex offender I die a little inside. I have tell people every time I go for job interview, move, or if I want to date. The depressions is getting worse, I can’t seem to focus on anything else. I am normally a happy person but I can’t see the end of this and I have thought about suicide, I.ve went so far as to right a suicide note, and found a weapon to do it with. But want to live and fight, but I need help with this fight.

Please help me

MI - From 25 years to life tier 2 to tier 3

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By Rob Boyd:
Convicted in 1986 of two counts of csc 2 in a two week trial. Sentenced 7 to 15 years. Paroled 1997.

Jury asked judge if touching chest and back of 11 year old was a crime? His reply was quote: "IF THE PARTY TOUCHING HAD SEXUAL THOUGHTS OR INTENT THAT WAS A CRIME." Jury returned their verdict of 2 counts criminal sexual conduct.

In 2011 Michigan changed my tier from 2 to 3 and changed my 25 years to life.

OK - Probation questions

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By Michelle:
I have recently learned that I have fallen love with a sex offender. We live in Oklahoma. He never served time he was given 10 yrs suspended sentence and is currently on probation. He has 2 1/2 yrs left before he has completed his probation. I am looking for some one to help me understand what happens when his probation is up. Will some of his restrictions be lifted? What is still expected of him? I've tried looking for site to help me understand what I may be facing in the future but am not having any luck. I do have a child under the age of 18. Do we have any kind of a chance for a future together? Can anyone help me or give me some website that I can visit? Thank you for your time.