State v. Mr. J (DMC No. 16235) – (5 Counts) Felony Failure to Register as a Sex Offender – Reduced to Probation (with Zero Days in Jail) – Yavapai County Superior Court (Case No. 2017-001490)
Mr. J had previously been convicted of Felony Luring a Minor for Sexual Exploitation, and he was Sentenced to 5 Years of Probation, and he was Required to Register as a Sex Offender. Although he had successfully completed Probation, and had Registered three previous times as a Sex Offender, he still subsequently enrolled at Yavapai Community College and informed the Campus Police that he was a Registered Sex Offender. They did an “Assessment” that showed he was not a risk, and they allowed him to enroll.
At some point in time, the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office received an anonymous tip claiming that Mr. J was on Facebook and attempting to solicit relationships with other college students. The Sheriff’s Department discovered that he was a Registered Sex Offender and claimed that he had not complied with the Registration Terms. He was eventually told to come down to the Police Station in order to Register, and it was there that he was Arrested for Failing to Register on 5 different occasions. One he was Charged with 5 Counts of Failure to Register as Sex Offender, he secured the services of DM Cantor to Defend him.
We were able to show the Prosecutor that he thought he was in full compliance when he Registered with the Yavapai Community College Police Officers. In addition, the alleged Facebook account linking him to soliciting students was not even registered to him. We were also able to show he did not have any unauthorized internet access. Ultimately, we were able to secure the Plea which was Reduced to Probation, with Zero Days in Jail. Had Mr. J been convicted of all 5 Counts, he could have spent over 18 years in Prison.