MEGAN'S LAW TO GET REVISIONS; LEGISLATORS HOPE TO FILL IN CRACKS.Byline: Ivan Sciupac Daily News Staff Writer As Californians begin to make use of the newly computerized lists of convicted sex offenders sex offender n. generic term for all persons convicted of crimes involving sex, including rape, molestation, sexual harassment and pornography production or distribution. In mosst states convicted sex offenders are supposed to report to local police authorities, but many do not. (See: rape, molestation, sexual harassment, pornography), lawmakers now are busy refining the 7-month-old Megan's law, in some cases trying to make it tougher. One bill proposed by the author of the law would introduce a process by which people on the list could appeal their inclusion if they were convicted of committing acts no longer deemed criminal. Another piece of legislation would require out-of-state sex offenders to register in California when they move into the state. Yet another would have homeless and transient sex offenders register with law enforcement officials every 90 days in order to keep better track of their whereabouts. The current system is far from ideal. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies note that in surveys of their own jurisdictions they are finding that registered locations of high-risk offenders have been highly inaccurate, with some of the offenders in prison, deceased or simply missing. The Los Angeles Police Department also is checking the registered addresses of convicted sex offenders. LAPD officials, who have been focusing on the highest-risk offenders, so far have tracked only about 60. They found that nine lived elsewhere and two others couldn't be found. If there is any consensus among lawmakers, police and critics of Megan's law, it is that over time the law will need to adapt to a changing society and correct flaws. ``We had a pioneering law in Megan's law which cannot be implemented without a lot of attention to the cracks of the law,'' said state Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Pasadena. And filling those cracks is what lawmakers are trying to do, as states have rushed to adopt laws that require public disclosure of the identities of sex offenders and their general location. A tougher stance So far in California, most efforts to fine-tune the law would make it tougher on sex offenders. Assemblyman Scott Wildman, D-Glendale, has written AB 213, which would work in three ways: Sex offenders convicted in another state would be required to register in California when they move into the state; California-convicted sex offenders would be ordered to register in other states if they move; and the attorney general would be required to work with other states to pass similar laws. Such focus by lawmakers on sex crimes will continue, Wildman said. ``It's perceived by the Legislature to be the No. 1 and (most) important issue,'' he said. Wildman said local law enforcement and municipal judges generally support the measure. It is awaiting final approval by Gov. Pete Wilson, who should act on it early this week, said spokesman Steve Tatum. Transient sex offenders Schiff, who worked with Wildman on his legislation, drafted his own proposal that would require transient and homeless sex offenders to register every 90 days in order to track them more easily. Under the existing law, convicted sex offenders are obligated to register annually, or within five days of changing their address. Schiff estimates 900 transient sex offenders live in the Valley. ``The problem is that if you move 100 times in a year, there's no requirement that you register,'' said Schiff, whose measure recently passed through the Assembly Committee of Public Safety. ``If they're moving daily or weekly, it gets difficult for law enforcement to track them,'' said Tim Shelly, Schiff's chief of staff. Other proposed additions to Megan's law included placing the list of sex offenders on the Internet and forcing convicted child molesters to wear a metal bracelet that, with the parents' consent, would be engraved with the victim's name and age. Neither proposal was successful. While these bills sought to treat convicted sex offenders more stringently, one measure aims to change who would be eligible for inclusion on the list. List too inclusive Assemblywoman Barbara Alby, R-Sacramento, was the author of Megan's law but now realizes it is too inclusive. She introduced AB 290, which would allow individuals to appeal their inclusion on the computer lists if they had been convicted of acts that no longer are considered crimes. For example, sodomy sodomy n. anal copulation by a man inserting his penis in the anus either of another man or a woman. If accomplished by force, without consent, or with someone incapable of consent, sodomy is a felony in all states in the same way that rape is. Homosexual (male to male) sodomy between consenting adults has also been found a felony, but increasingly is either decriminalized or seldom prosecuted. and oral copulation 1. Conjugation between two cells that do not fuse but separate after mutual fertilization. 2. See coitus. cop between consenting adults no longer are crimes, although they were criminal acts before 1976. Someone convicted of those crimes is part of the list now.  u·late v.The American Civil Liberties Union estimates that some 2,000 people fall into that category. Alby's legislation is expected to go to the Senate floor within the next few weeks. Francisco Lobaco, the ACLU's legislative director, called Alby's measure ``a step in the right direction'' but one that wouldn't necessarily solve the problem. ``On the current sex registration list there are a number of individuals who have committed no registerable sex crimes,'' Lobaco said. ``These were folks who are engaged in consensual sex crimes over 20 years ago which were decriminalized by the legislation. Their names have nevertheless remained on the list.'' Public furor This surge of legislation concerns civil libertarians who believe Megan's law in its existing form is unfair and even potentially dangerous. Critics of the law argue that public access to the identities and whereabouts of sex offenders will result in public furor. In fact, last week an arsonist firebombed a van owned by a convicted child molester in what authorities described as an act of vigilantism. Elizabeth Schroeder, associate director of the Southern California branch of the ACLU, called the attack a ``direct link'' to Megan's law. ``We predicted this would happen all along,'' Schroeder said. ``It's shocking but not surprising.'' Although people wishing to access the CD-ROM program are required to show identification and sign a statement saying they will not use the information gathered to commit any illegal acts, Schroeder belieAves that may not be enough to discourage violent behavior. ``We need to send a message to the public that this behavior will not be tolerated,'' she said. ``We were very fortunate nobody was injured (in the firebombing).'' Schroeder said Megan's law works against efforts to turn convicts into stable, productive citizens. She predicted that law enforcers will have a harder time tracking registered sex offenders when they go underground to avoid public scrutiny, in the long run creating more problems than solutions. Alby disagreed. ``I don't buy that,'' she said. ``They're already underground. They're raping our children behind the bushes, not on Main Street.'' While Alby recognized the potential for vigilantism, she argued that the public's safety and right to know outweigh such concerns. ``Police cannot follow these people,'' she said, ``so we have to find a way to put a tool in their hands to protect the folks they love - their kids.'' SEX OFFENDERS WHO LIVE IN THE AREA Following is a list of convicted sex offenders who reported that they reside in the San Fernando Valley region. Los Angeles police and Sheriff's Department officials have noted that there have been inaccuracies regarding the residences. EAGLE ROCK: Santos, Edward Patrick Sex: Male Ethnicity: Other Hair: Black Eyes: Brown DOB DOB - Date Of Birth DOB - 2,5-Dimethoxy-4-Bromoamphetamine (psychedelic drug) DOB - Daily Operating Bulletin (Canadian rail operating rules) DOB - Damenoberbekleidung (German retail women's clothing) DOB - Data Over Broadband DOB - Debt of Bones (Terry Goodkind book) DOB - Degree of Bend DOB - Delete-O-Bomb (forum moderator removes post) DOB - Department of Building DOB - Department of Buildings DOB - Department of Bustards (band): 07/21/45 Height: 5'8'' Weight: 165 Charges: 1. Sodomy with a person under the age of 14 years 2. Crimes against children, lewd or lascivious Springer, Steve R. Sex: Male Ethnicity: White Hair: Brown Eyes: Green DOB: 03/15/61 Height: 6'5'' Weight: 250 Charges: 1. Lewd or lascivious acts with child under 14 years HIGHLAND PARK: Adkins, Harold R. Sex: Male Ethnicity: Black Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown DOB: 11/04/60 Height: 5'6'' Weight: 147 Charges: 1. Rape by force or fear 2. Oral copulation with personA under 14 years 3. Sexual penetration by foreign object 4. Commitment (90 days) as a mentally disordered sex offender Anderson, Walter Gene Sex: Male Ethnicity: White Hair: Brown Eyes: Blue DOB:11/12/40 Height: 5'7'' Weight: 140 Charges: 1. Crimes against children, lewd or lascivious 2. Oral copulation with person under 14 years 3. Commitment (90 days) as a mentally disordered sex offender Silva, Antonio Guerra Sex: Male Ethnicity: Hispanic Hair: Black Eyes: Brown DOB: 04/30/58 Height: 5'10'' Weight: 150 Charges: 1. Crimes against children, lewd or lascivious 2. Oral copulation with person under 16 years 3. Commitment (90 days) as a mentally disordered sex offender TUJUNGA: Berton, Charles Bernard Sex: Male Ethnicity: White Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown DOB: 08/03/52 Height: 5'9'' Weight: 155 Charges: 1. Lewd or lascivious acts with child under 14 years 2. Commitment (90 days) as a mentally disordered sex offender 3. Annoy/molest children Cleary, Daniel Patrick Sex: Male Ethnicity: White Hair: Gray Eyes: Blue DOB: 12/02/31 Height: 5'7'' Weight: 150 Charges: 1. Crimes against children, lewd or lascivious Wills Watkins, Challens Sex: Male Ethnicity: White Hair: Brown Eyes: Blue DOB: 12/05/55 Height: 6'0'' Weight: 160 Charges: 1. Rape of drugged victim 2. Oral copulation with person under 14 years GLENDALE: Muniz, Henry Y. Sex: Male Ethnicity: Hispanic Hair: Black Eyes: Brown DOB. 11/06/45 Height: 5'8'' Weight: 180 Charges: 1. Rape by force or fear 2. Oral copulation with person under 14 years CANOGA PARK: Atwood, Ronald Albert Sex: Male Ethnicity: White Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown DAOB: 08/24/64 Height: 5'9'' Weight: 125 Charges: 1. Crimes against children, lewd or lascivious 2. Sexual penetration by foreign object WINNETKA: Berando, Leon Joseph Sex: Male Ethnicity: White Hair: Black Eyes: Brown DOB: 01/05/64 Height: 5'9'' Weight: 175 Charges: 1. Rape by force or fear 2. Sodomy with person under 14 years 3. Oral copulation with person under 14 years Brown, Gary Wayne Sex: Male Ethnicity: White Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown DOB: 12/31/41 Height: 6'1'' Weight: 185 Charges: 1. Rape with force or threat 2. Oral copulation with person under 14 years McClure, Michael Steven Sex: Male Ethnicity: White Hair: Brown Eyes: Blue DOB: 06/01/54 Height: 5'11'' Weight: 185 Charges: 1. Rape by force or fear 2. Oral copulation with person under 14 years CHATSWORTH: Shauger, Terrance Lee Sex: Male Ethnicity: White Hair: Brown Eyes: Blue DOB: 11/14/56 Height: 5'8'' Weight: 150 Charges: 1. Rape by force or fear 2. Rape of drugged victim 3. Sodomy with person under 14 years 4. Oral copulation with person under 14 years Smith, Donald Lee Sex: Male Ethnicity: White Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown DOB: 08/27/40 Height: 5'7'' Weight: 170 Charges: 1. Sodomy 2. Crimes against children, lewd or lascivious 3. Oral copulation ENCINO: Balkwill, Craig Keith Sex: Male Ethnicity: White Hair: Brown Eyes: Unknown DOB: 08/21/63 Height: 5'0'' Weight: 140 Charges: 1. Annoy/molest children NORTHRIDGE: Bryan, Daniel James Sex: Male Ethnicity: White Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown DOB: 06/26/62 Height: 5'10'' Weight: 160 Charges: 1. Indecent exposure 2. Annoy/molesAt children 3. Annoy/molest children Santana, Vincent Sex: Male Ethnicity: Hispanic Hair: Black Eyes: Brown DOB: 01/31/58 Height: 5'11'' Weight: 165 Charges: 1. Assault to commit rape, sodomy or oral copulation 2. Rape by force or fear 3. Rape of drugged victim ARLETA-PACOIMA: Custer, Mike Gene Sex: Male Ethnicity: White Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown DOB:12/27/63 Height: 6'1'' Weight: 140 Charges: 1. Assault to commit rape, sodomy or oral copulation 2. Sodomy with person under 14 years Donaldson, Robert Lee Sex: Male Ethnicity: Black Hair: Black Eyes: Brown DOB: 02/13/59 Height: 5'9'' Weight: 180 Charges: 1. Sodomy with person under 14 years Simpson, Arthur James Sex: Male Ethnicity: White Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown DOB: 02/12/59 Height: 5'8'' Weight: 140 Charges: 1. Crimes against children, lewd or lascivious 2. Oral copulation with person under 14 years Williams, Harold Lewis Sex: Male Ethnicity: Black Hair: Black Eyes: Brown DOB: 04/18/50 Height: 5'11'' Weight: 220 Charges: 1. Oral copulation with person under 14 years RESEDA: Honeywell, Richard Sex: Male Ethnicity: White Hair: Gray Eyes: Brown DOB: 02/18/42 Height: 5'4'' Weight: 145 Charges: 1. Rape by force or fear 2. Rape of drugged victim 3. Crimes against children, lewd or lascivious 4. Oral copulation with person under 14 years 5. Commitment (90 days) as a mentally disordered sex offender SYLMAR: Anderson, Don Carlos Sex: Male Ethnicity: Black Hair: Black Eyes: Brown DOB: 08/22/53 Height: 5'8'' Weight: 160 Charges: 1. Rape by force or fear 2. Rape in concert with force or violence 3. Sodomy while confiAned in prison/jail 4. Oral copulation Wagner, Thomas Michael Sex: Male Ethnicity: White Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown DOB: 11/06/53 Height: 5'9'' Weight: 240 Charges: Crimes against children, lewd or lascivious GRANADA HILLS: Turner, James Stephen Sex: Male Ethnicity: White Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown DOB: 02/10/49 Height: 5'10'' Weight: 145 Charges: 1. Contributing to the delinquency of a minor (lewd or lascivious behavior) 2. Crimes against children, lewd or lascivious 3. Oral copulation with person under 14 years 4. Commitment (90 days) as a mentally disordered sex offender SUN VALLEY: Carmona, Adolfo Sex: Male Ethnicity: Hispanic Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown DOB: 12/24/52 Height: 5'8'' Weight: 140 Charges: 1. Rape by force or fear 2. Sodomy with person under 14 years 3. Crimes against children, lewd or lascivious TARZANA: Byrd, Charles Ray Sex: Male Ethnicity: Black Hair: Black Eyes: Gray DOB: 11/24/50 Height: 6'0'' Weight: 195 Charges: 1. Rape by force or fear 2. Lewd or lascivious acts with child under 14 years PANORAMA CITY: Frazier, George Neil Sex: Male Ethnicity: White Hair: Brown Eyes: Blue DOB: 05/30/40 Height: 6'1'' Weight: 210 Charges: 1. Sodomy with person under 18 years 2. Sodomy with person under 16 years 3. Crimes against children, lewd or lascivious 4. Commitment (90 days) as a mentally disordered sex offender Lopez, Tommy Sex: Male Ethnicity: Hispanic Hair: Black Eyes: Brown DOB: 02/25/49 Height: 5'11'' Weight: 150 Charges: 1. Sodomy with person under 14 years 2. Crimes against children, lewd or lascivious 3. Annoy/molest children VAN NUYS: Ailep, MatthewA Sex: Male Ethnicity: Black Hair: Black Eyes: Brown DOB: 03/10/47 Height: 6'2'' Weight: 208 Charges: 1. Assault to commit rape, sodomy or oral copulation 2. Rape by force or fear 3. Oral copulation with person under 14 years Madsen, David Sex: Male Ethnicity: White Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown DOB: 12/05/56 Height: 6'1'' Weight: 146 Charges: 1. Rape by force or fear 2. Oral copulation with person under 14 years Pace, Steve Jerrold Sex: Male Ethnicity: White Hair: Blonde Eyes: Blue DOB: 12/10/52 Height: 5'1'' Weight: 150 Charges: 1. Crimes against children, lewd or lascivious 2. Annoy/molest children Shockey, Robin Charles Sex: Male Ethnicity: White Hair: Brown Eyes: Unknown DOB: 01/24/53 Height: 5'11'' Weight: 180 Charges: 1. Sodomy 2. Sodomy with person under 18 years 3. Crimes against children, lewd or lascivious 4. Crimes against children, lewd or lascivious 5. Oral copulation with person under 18 years 6. Oral copulation with person under 18 years 7. Oral copulation with person under 16 years 8. Arson: Inhabited structure/property VAN NUYS: Hughes, Sam Sex: Male Ethnicity: White Hair: Gray Eyes: Brown DOB: 01/12/47 Height: 5'8'' Weight: 180 Charges: 1. Sodomy without consent: drugged victim and defendant in mental facility 2. Crimes against children, lewd or lascivious 3. Lewd or lascivious acts with person under 14 or 15 years 4. Oral copulation: victim intoxicated Pendeleton, George W. Sex: Male Ethnicity: White Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown DOB: 11/29/51 Height: 5'9'' Weight: 175 Charges: 1. Assault to commit rape, sodomy or oral copulation 2. Rape by fear or force 3. Sodomy with person under 14 years 4. Oral copulAation with person under 14 years 5. Commitment (90 days) as a mentally disordered sex offender TOLUCA LAKE: Capps, Steven Sex: Male Ethnicity: White Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown DOB: 03/02/54 Height: 5'10'' Weight: 190 Charges: 1. Rape by fear or force NORTH HOLLYWOOD: Komarenski, Robert S. Sex: Male Ethnicity: White Hair: Brown Eyes: Blue DOB: 07/07/48 Height: 6'2'' Weight: 180 Charges: 1. Assault to commit rape, sodomy or oral copulation 2. Crimes against children, lewd or lascivious 3. Commitment (90 days) as a mentally disordered sex offender 4. Annoy/molest children North Hollywood: Flowers, William Sex: Male Ethnicity: Black Hair: Black Eyes: Brown DOB: 10/31/52 Height: 6'0'' Weight: 220 Charges: 1. Rape by fear or force 2. Lewd or lascivious acts with child under 14 years 3. Commitment (90 days) as a mentally disordered sex offender Harvey, Everett Dale Sex: Male Ethnicity: White Hair: Brown Eyes: Blue DOB: 07/14/23 Height: 5'9'' Weight: 175 Charges: 1. Lewd or lascivious acts with child under 14 years 2. Commitment (90 days) as a mentally disordered sex offender Kinkade, Russel Thomas Sex: Male Ethnicity: White Hair: Blonde Eyes: Unknown DOB: 03/28/45 Height: 5'11'' Weight: 180 Charges: 1. Crimes against children, lewd or lascivious 2. Oral copulation with person under 14 years 3. Commitment (90 days) as a mentally disordered sex offender 4. Annoy/molest children Sanchez, Gerardo Sex: Male Ethnicity: Hispanic Hair: Black Eyes: Brown DOB: 08/12/35 Height: 5'7'' Weight: 185 Charges: 1. Crimes against children, lewd or lascivious 2. Commitment (90 days) as a mentally disordered sex offender ATurner, Jacob Sex: Male Ethnicity: Black Hair: Black Eyes: Brown DOB: 01/30/54 Height: 5'10'' Weight: 156 Charges: 1. Rape by fear or force 2. Rape by force 3. Commitment (90 days) as a mentally disordered sex offender Keith, Robert Francis Sex: Male Ethnicity: White Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown DOB: 03/19/60 Height: 5'8'' Weight: 150 Charges: 1. Assault to commit rape, sodomy or oral copulation 2. Rape by fear or force Perry, Nathan Sex: Male Ethnicity: Black Hair: Black Eyes: Brown DOB: 04/08/54 Height: 5'9'' Weight: 117 Charges: 1. Rape by fear or force Thomas, Lloyd Milton Sex: Male Ethnicity: Black DOB: 06/03/57 Height: 6'2'' Weight: 210 Charges: 1. Rape by fear or force 2. Oral copulation with person under 14 years CAPTION(S): Box Box: SEX OFFENDERS WHO LIVE IN THE AREA (See text) |
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