Level 3 sex offender is moving to Trommald

Residents will be able to ask questions and voice concerns about a Level 3 sex offender moving to Trommald during a March 6 meeting in Crosby.

The meeting, at 6 p.m. at Crosby City Hall, is part of the sex offender notification law designed to let residents know when a sex offender is moving into their community.

"I believe this is the first Level 3 we've had in the county recently," said Sgt. Joe Meyer, Crow Wing County Sheriff's Department.

The three levels range from Level 1 offenders who are considered a minor risk up to Level 3, which means the person is the most likely to reoffend. Level 3 offenders have been determined to be at the highest risk of all sexual predators for reoffending.

The meeting is expected to include state officials and representatives of the sheriff's department. There will be a question and answer session allowing members of the public to ask questions and raise concerns about this matter.

The Sheriff's Department did not release the sex offender's name, who is described as a 34-year-old white male with brown hair and brown eyes, 5 feet and 7 inches tall and 260 pounds, but did provide information about his criminal sexual conduct.

The sex offender has a history of engaging in sexual contact, which included fondling and penetration with victims, boys ages 11-12. The sex offender was known to his victims.

Meyer said Trommald was chosen because the sex offender had a contact for housing. The sex offender is a Crow Wing County resident. More information on who the individual is and where he will be living will be released at the March 6 meeting.

Meyer said the sex offender's conviction stems from a Crow Wing County charge several years ago. The man served his jail sentence. Because of the level of his crime, the man must register as a sex offender and the community must be informed about where he is living, Meyer said.

The benefit for the public comes in knowing who is living in their midst. The sheriff's department reported having this knowledge available to residents is a way to enhance the public's safety.

"The public needs to know and they should know," Meyer said.

Historically, sex offenders were released into communities without notification until the Community Notification Act went into effect in 1997.

Information on Level 3 predatory offenders is listed online with the Minnesota Department of Corrections Web site at www.doc.state.mn.us/level3/search.asp. According to a search at the DOC Web site Wednesday, there were no Level 3 predatory offenders residing in Crow Wing County.

With the public notification comes a concern that residents may take matters into their own hands when dealing with the sex offender. Meyer said he understands the concern, but contact with the sex offender should be left to law enforcement.

The sex offender is not being cut loose in the community, Meyer said.

"He is monitored by the state and sheriff's office to comply with laws and rules," Meyer said. "He has a parole officer. He'll have me making sure he is in compliance with regulations. He's going to be monitored."

RENEE RICHARDSON may be reached at renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5852.