New Jersey's online sex offender register includes a list of non-compliant offenders wanted by the police.
Diaquan L. Downing lived on Schuyler Avenue in Newark the last time police heard from him. Michael J. Fisher lived on Church Road in Rio Grande when he last checked in with police. Clyde G. Jameson lived on Clubhouse Way in Rockaway Township.
These three men have one thing in common. They are registered sex offenders who cannot be located.
Of the 4,300 registered sex offenders listed on the New Jersey Sex Offender Internet Registry, about 70 are currently included in a separate category of "non-compliant."
Warrants have been issued for their arrest, but police said residents can help authorities locate them.
These are offenders who have failed to fulfill their registration requirements under Megan's Law. For whatever reason, they haven't checked in with local police at a regular interval to confirm their current address.
Depending on their sentence, offenders must notify police of their current address either every 90 days or once a year. That determination is made by the judge, based on a case-by-case basis.
Sex offender sought after skipping court
If they fail to do that for any reason, they are deemed non-compliant.
They could have moved or been locked up for another offense. "It could be anything," explained New Jersey State Police Sgt. First Class Sean Hybbeneth. "You have the full gamut."
For example, an offender convicted in another state, where registration requirements are different, may have moved to New Jersey and failed to meet the Garden State's reporting requirements. Offenders are required to meet requirements in their state of residence.
All sex offenders subject to Megan's Law are required to register for life under New Jersey law. In addition to the annual or 90-day notifications, sex offenders must register any change of address at least 10 days prior to moving. Sex offenders convicted in another state are required to register in New Jersey within 10 days of moving to the state.
Whatever the reason for not reporting, if police cannot locate the offender at their last-known address, an arrest warrant is issued.
"That would come back to the prosecutor's office or local police department where he was last registered to issue those warrants," Hybbeneth said.
The resources devoted to locating one of these offenders relates to the threat they pose. Those posted on the state internet registry are Tier 2 (moderate risk) and Tier 3 (high risk) offenders.
Jameson, for example, is a Tier 3 offender who was convicted of aggravated sexual assault, criminal restraint and endangering the welfare of a child in 1995.
"Resources are committed to finding a violator based on the degree of risk the offender presents, one reflection of which is the tier on which that individual has been ranked through a court hearing," explained Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office spokesman Bernie Weisenfeld.
Failing to register is a third-degree offense punishable by 3 to 5 years in prison.
Residents have a part to play in helping locate these offenders. On each offender's profile is a link where residents can submit a tip -- anonymously if they choose -- to the police, Hybbeneth noted. If someone knows where one of these offenders is living, they can alert police.
Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.