Predatory offenders can be searched online

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WORTHINGTON — Currently, there aren’t any non-compliant predatory offenders in Nobles or Murray County, according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA).

Worthington Public Safety Director Mike Cumiskey said the Worthington Police Department and Nobles County Sheriff’s Office check on the registered sex offenders in the county and city on a regular basis, updating photos and making sure registration information is current.

“The BCA asked us to go out and do it once. They don’t have the manpower, so they left it up to local jurisdictions,” Cumiskey said. “We took it a step further.”

Someone convicted of criminal sexual conduct, felony-level indecent exposure, soliciting a minor or several other crimes is required to register as a predatory offender for a minimum of 10 years or the duration of probation, whichever is longer. Some are required to register for life.

Failure to report changes in primary address, secondary addresses, employment, school or vehicles that are owned or operated can cause a registrant to be non-compliant. Registrants from other states who visit Minnesota for longer than 14 days and fail to register with the law enforcement agency within the jurisdiction where they will be staying can also be considered non-compliant.

“Some big cases have been cracked by law enforcement knowing where their sex offenders are located,” Cumiskey said.

At www.por.state.mn.us, the public can search for non-compliant offenders by name and location. There is a disclaimer on the site, however, that states some or all of the information is supplied by the offender and is not guaranteed for accuracy.

As of Thursday, there are two non-compliant offenders listed in Cottonwood County, Christopher Eugene Gilbert and Martin Rodriguez, one in Jackson County, Justin Wayne Pottberg, one in Pipestone County, Gary Lynn Kincaid, and two in Rock County, Randall Frank Brave Bull Jr. and Chad Sean Twohearts. A man whose information was submitted by Wright County, Christopher Michael Hagan, has a last known address in Sibley, Iowa. Included with the names is a list of identifying marks such as scars and tattoos and available photos. Some profiles are accompanied by a request for any recent or updated photos, and each includes a link to submit tips.

The public is encouraged to submit tips regarding non-compliant registrants by following the links on the website or by calling the BCA predatory offender registration unit at 888-234-1248 Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and asking to speak to a member of the non-compliance team.

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