Iowa Sex Offender Registry Gets A Makeover!As of July 1st, 2009, the State of Iowa is giving their sex offender registry a makeover! Iowa seems to continously taking the lead to protect their citizens when it comes to sex offenders and the laws enacted to protect our most priceless citizens - the children......In the past, one of the more difficult issues when it comes to the sex offender registry is when there is consensual sex between an 18 year old and his or her 15 or 16 year old partner. It has posed a much discussed topic when the 18 year is listed as a "sex offender" when in fact he doesnt really "qualify" as a predator type to be listed on the registry. This new law is called the "Romeo & Juliet" exception. Under this new law the "Romeo & Juliet" offenders will be placed under what is now called a "Tier 3 classification".A Tier 3 classification is best explained as follows:- will not be bound by the 2000 foot rule
- must avoid additional exclusionary zones that prevent loitering in areas where children are present.For example, arcades, libraries and public swimming pools etc. If a registered sex offender has a legitimate reason such as little league baseball games, family reunion etc, then they are allowed to go to parks where children are present. To go onto school grounds the offender must receive special permission from the school itself. Otherwise they must keep within 300 feet from these places. If a sex offender has been convicted of manslaughter, murder, burglaries, attempted burglaries and assaults with intent to commit sexual abuse they could be classified as a Tier 3 offender.
- Conviction of criminal transmission of HIV qualfies an offender as a Tier 3
- Offenders who previously qualify as a Tier 2 offender and re-offend and commit another Tier 2 crime are then qualified to be listed as a Tier 3 and would have to report in person to the sheriff every 3 months
A Tier 2 Classification is best explained as follows:
- Lewd and lascivious acts with a child or an in-person attempt to lure a minor into sexual contact will qualify offender as a Tier 2 offender.
- False imprisonment or the transport of a minor by a non-parent for sexual activity also qualifies the offender as Tier 2 offender.
- People convicted of incest or child pornography will be qualified as a Tier 2 offender. Counselors, therapists or school employees who have sexual contact with children 13 and under would be placed in the Tier 2 offender listing as well.
- Tier 2 offenders must check in with their county sheriffs office every six months.
- A sex offender who has a Tier 1 conviction and re-offends would be placed automatically into Tier 2.
A Tier 1 Classification is best explained as follows:
- Tier 1 Classification is for the least serious sex offenses. Examples of this would be allowing minors to view pornography, using a computer to lure or mislead a minor for sexual activities or conduct with a false identity - for instance - a MySpace account stating that the offender is a 15 year old boy seeking a girl for sexual activities would qualify for Tier 1 if convicted of such crime.
- Sex offenders who are age 13 and under AND are convicted of 2nd or 3rd degree sexual assault will qualify for Tier 1 classification.
- Some sexually-motivated forms of stalking or harassment could also qualify an offender for Tier 1.
With almost 5000 persons listed on the current Iowa registry - the state is reviewing each and every one of them to place them into the appropiate tiers.
An additional change is that a sex offender now has 5 days to report AND register in the county of jurisdiction if they are working in a county that is different from where they actually live. For instance - if a sex offender lives in XYZ County and they work in ABC County, they MUST register in both counties or they will be in violation of the sex offender registry law.
Under this new law, if a sex offender's victim was a minor the sex offender will not be allowed to work at places such as carnivals, schools, or arcades. In addition to that a sex offender will NOT be allowed to volunteer when the group or organization involves children. Children meaning under the age of 18 years of age.
The Watchful Eye Foundation highly commends the State of Iowa for stepping forward and taking on the very difficult task of "re-vamping" their sex offender registry. We strongly urge other states to follow this example in protecting our society from those that do not hesitate to harm our nations children.
Recently we were notified about a Nebraska sex offender who was convicted of sexual assault against a minor 3 times, and was on the Nebraska sex offender registry as a level 3 offender. A level 3 in the state of Nebraska is the "high alert" level - which means that chances are that he will re-offend.
This particular individual who is currently on the sex offender registry in the state of Nebraska - as a level 3 - has recently purchased the franchise of a toy store in the state of Iowa. He travels the 5 miles to leave the state of Nebraska and enter the state of Iowa to work at the Mall at his toy store which caters specifically to children - they build teddy bears.
This guy's website clearly states that they "cater to children" ......it seems as nothing is sacred - not even teddy bear workshop stores. It is understandable that sex offenders will stoop to just about any level to be able to reach out to children even after convicted of horrific and heinous crimes against children. What I do not understand is how a million dollar company would allow their good name to be tarnished with that of a sex offender by allowing them to purchase a franchise.
Law enforcement has been notified in both states as well as the sex offender registry offices. Supposedly, nothing can be done because the sex offender just owns it, they have not been able to prove that he is working there. Seems owning a toy store when you are a level 3 sex offender is okay - you just cant run the cash register.
I hope that the new Iowa law will now enforce issues like this. If you are interested in more information on this please contact us at 402/412-3393.