A man wanted by the police for failure to register as a sex offender climbed a Pensacola, FL radio tower threatening to jump. The story was developing at the time it was reported and we don’t have any updates.
In Florida, failure to register is a third degree felony carrying a minimum mandatory sentence. Even innocently forgetting to register something carries the harsh penalty, adds a felony to one’s record and precludes being ever removed from the registry.
Another news source reported that after hours-long standoff he eventually came down.
We got a GREAT WIN in Michigan and now registrants in states within the 6th Circuit need to file lawsuits THAT HAVE A PROPERLY FRAMED ARGUMENT to challenge any and all conditions in their state’s registry laws that mirror any and all that have just been struck down by the 6th Circuit AND AND Judge McCleland.
The part of the ruling that overturned the residency/presence/work restrictions, requiring offenders to hand over their on-line identifiers, and register every vehicle they operate were rulings that apply to all registrants across the board was made by Judge McCleland IN ADDITION TO WHAT THE 6TH CIRCUIT RULED. I DON’T THINK THOSE RULINGS CARRY AS MUCH WEIGHT AS THE ORIGINAL 6TH CIRCUIT RULING MADE IN 2016, BUT THEY WILL PROVIDE A VERY CONVINCING ARGUMENT. As Larry from “Registry Matters” has pointed out several times lately this great ruling ADDS TO THE BODY OF EXISTING FAVORABLE CASE LAW and the more decisions like this we have in our favor, the better!
Any registrant within the 6th Circuit who wishes now to challenge their state’s registry law would be advised in my opinion to get input from Larry, the co-host of the weekly “Registry Matters” podcast. He is very well-versed in showing attorney right where to attack the registry and how to word the challenge so that it has maximum chance of being successful.
I AM SAYING ASK LARRY IF HE WOULD BE WILLING TO HELP. I AM NOT INTENDING TO VOLUNTEER HIM WITHOUT HIS CONSENT. IT’S JUST THAT I THINK HE IS A GOOD MAN WITH VALUABLE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE IN THIS ARENA WHO WOULD HELP WHERE AND WHEN HE COULD.
Here’s the thing, a failure to register is a level 7 offense. That means it is rated worse than even some sex crimes themselves, so much so that they made it a 3rd degree felony except 2. Those 2 are 2nd degree felonies. If anyone is unfamiliar with the point system, a level 7 3rd degree felony is worth 56 points. That is right 56, as in 56 months, and this is a minimum mandatory for failure to register or failure to comply with the registry. Now think about it, 56 months on a 3rd degree felony which carries a maximum of 60 months. Now of course once you do some math with their ridiculous points system, it tends to score out to less, but they are all to happy to offer 36 months for a plea deal provided it’s 1 offense and you are not a habitual case.
Seems your felony laws down here in FL are truly out of whack. In CT a first degree felony is SERIOUS shit. 2nd degree is kinda hit or miss. 3rd and/or 4th degree felonies are like “Eh, why even bother calling it a felony?”
As for his initial conviction I could be wrong but I’m thinking this man took a plea deal for whatever reason the judge sentenced him and required he register. He then turned to his lawyer and asked How long do I have to register for and his attorney then informed him registration is for life ( that’s how I found out) and this man realized he didn’t intend to plead to a life sentence which is what the registry is and wasn’t going to comply. Now he has two felonies and one pending. I thought mental anguish was included in cruel and unusual punishment which is everyone on the registry is subject to.
Artifical intellegence one day will become self-awear and through exponential reasoning decide the human species is to harmful to everything even themselves (ie. The existance of a sex offender registry) to be allowed to exercise free thought and action or to even exist.
Glad he’s at least okay and sad that now he gets busted and faces more time. Can’t blame him. I’d rather die than go back to prison. The state and most people have long forgotten something that a very wise and holy person said 2,00 year ago. Matthew 7:12 “So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets.”
My thoughts and prayers go to this man and his loved ones. These things should not happen…
Thank you Bill. I concur, we all need prayer for our situation but this man in particular. He seems to be willing to take a fall for all of us, showing the authorities they have gone too DAMN far and pushing us all to the limits.
Yep spells Florida in a nut shell. Minimum mandatory for a weak offense, and a felony at that. Florida doesn’t ever intend to forgive sex offenders, it just isn’t going to happen ever.
Not as long as Ron or Lauren Book have anything to say about it. That’s the fountainhead of all your problems there in sunny FLORI-DUHHHHHHH!
Like a convicted DRUNK has any room to point a finger at anyone!
This really dont surprise me. Iv had days when I felt like that.. The registry weighs havey on any sane person who actually cares about there life.
Serious question:
This brings up something. So say we missed an email from when we were in high school and they arrested us and then Ex post facto wins and everyone covered under that gets off registry. The person who got one minor NON sex offender arrest for an email now cannot get off even under an ex post facto win?
If so, that is why they put petty crap as a felony. I have seen someone shoot someone and get less time that we can face for not reporting we changed clothes without permission
I use to lay awake at night planning my next day so strategically so that I avoided any conflict. After a while you say screw it and just live your life.
I am shocked (pleasantly) that the police did not blast his name all over the media. It would be nice to think this incident could open a conversation equating mental illness to the act of sexual offending and the depression being on the registry brings. This man would rather face death than go back to prison as a “sexual offender.”
I know exactly how this guy feels your living your life after your time and BAM you forgot and they are wanting their “pound of flesh“. This shit is nothing but double jeopardy so basically they give you a deal then enhance it over and over again now your facing time with your points from the first charge increasing your harmless violation into jail and prison time when the charge by itself is barley any points. Your not on trial for your new charge but for the new which is harmless. I’m really surprised someone hasn’t gone off and done something crazier with so little to live for.
Yep!!!. I was thinking the same thing. It is a wonder someone hasn’t, so far anyway. Some people have done crazy things for a lot less reason!!.
People have retaliated. A lot of people, in many different ways. The worst ways have been to murder innocent children. That happened to 6 year old Christopher Barrios and 13 year old Melinda Hinson. Both of those cases were direct retaliation because the Registries exist. I am 100% sure there have been more.
I’ve made it my personal mission for years to retaliate as much as possible for the Registries. I’ve cost piles of people a lot. I’ve harmed a lot of people and society in general. It has all been legal. It is amazing what you can do if you put your mind to it. The Registries have been great motivation.
I’ve lived a good life for a long time and the Registries haven’t been able to keep me down much. But I retaliate for every problem they cause me, every time. If I’m ever arrested for anything related to it, I absolutely will retaliate. I will always retaliate to a level that satisfies me personally. I’m the judge and jury who will decide what is fair.
They wanted a war, they’ve got one.
Florida’s sex offender requirements are so harsh. It is a life time of punishment. Hope they can get this man some help, how desperate he must feel. Sad.
And they want to say the registry is not extended punishment added to your sentence??!!