Level III sex offender moving to Avoca

SLAYTON — The Murray County Sheriff’s Office released information Wednesday on a Level III sex offender who is expected to be moving to the 100 block of Southwest Third Street in Avoca in the near future.

A community notification meeting has been scheduled for 6 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Lincoln, Lyon, Murray Human Services Building conference room in Slayton. At the meeting, the Minnesota Department of Corrections will provide information regarding Bitker’s offenses, conditions of release and guidelines about predatory offender registration and general safety information.

The sex offender, Jason Ryan Bitker, is currently incarcerated at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Rush City. He is scheduled to be released March 7, having been admitted in July 2003.

According to the fact sheet released by the Murray County Sheriff’s Office, Bitker has a history of sexual contact with female victims age 13 to 14 and was known to his victims. Specific information about his last conviction was unavailable at press time.

Bitker’s other previous convictions include domestic assault, aid and abet of theft, giving a false name to a peace officer, possession of stolen property, obstructing the legal process and disorderly conduct — most of those convictions in Redwood County. He is described as a 33-year-old white male with blue eyes and sandy blonde hair, a medium build and a fair complexion. He is 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs approximately 148 pounds.

According to court documents, Bitker lived in Slayton at the time of his arrest, but was charged and convicted in Redwood County. He was assigned Level III status due to his potential to re-offend and his past criminal behavior.

In a classification system that ranges from Level I to Level III, Level I is the least likely to re-offend.

Upon release, Bitker is not wanted by authorities and will have served the sentence imposed on him by the court.

“We understand receiving this notice may be disturbing,” the news release from the sheriff’s office states. “However, it in not the intention of the Murray County Sheriff’s Office to increase fear in the community.”

A public fact sheet regarding predatory registration, Level III offender information and offense information specific to Bitker is available on the Murray County Web site www.murray-countymn.com.

The information will also be circulated to neighboring law enforcement agencies, public school districts and licensed daycare providers in the county.

The information is released due to a state statute that requires and authorizes law enforcement to inform the public of a sexual or predatory offender’s release when the authorities believe the release of that information will enhance public safety and protection.

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