Category: Tales from the Registry

originally posted 6/11/2009 I am the wife of a registered sex offender in (a southern state). My husband’s offense occurred 25 years ago when he was 18 in another with a 15 year old minor. His offense is not even illegal in this state due to age of consent as defined under this state`s laws; yet he is required to register as a lifetime registrant in our state, the classification reserved for the most serious offenders. Of course, we have endured very many negative consequences over the years due to the registry. We lost our home of over 10 years due to residency restrictions and now our state has passed a sweeping law that prohibits registered sex offenders from being on schools grounds. We have two school age children. For over 15 years, we have silently endured the humiliation and consequences of these sweeping laws; now our days of silence are over. I came across your website and I’m interested in…

originally posted 6/9/2009 It just amazes me how the registry laws are in effect, yet even the police have no idea what the “actual” laws are. Here’s what has taken place . . . when my son was first put on the sex offender registry, he went to the police department and told them where he was working (his manager kept his job for the 3 months he was in jail). The police told him that he could not work there because there was a school across the street and it fell within the 500 feet restriction. His manager then transferred him to another store in another city and again, the police told him he had to quit because it was across the street from a high school. They actually went into the store and told the manager that he could not work there – imagine the embarrassment of that one. Well, during the last month or so I have…

originally posted 6/9/2009 I was 4 when I remember being abused sexually by my stepfather. That went on with him off and on until I told him to stop at age 14. He let his friend (my uncle), take me to his house to stay. He also abused me for many years off and on. I suspect now that my stepfather was paid for this. I was taken to a friend of my “uncles” house where no abuse happened but the attempt was made. I had to endure a naked disgusting man. I was once tied up by the neighbor`s boy down the street naked and left there until a man from a business untied me. I was then at the age of 14 raped by my sister`s girlfriend who was 19. . My stepfather had gotten in trouble by my older brother who turned him in, and we were removed from the home. I had been put in a…

originally posted 6/9/2009 I’ve been an S.O. since 1996. I was caught with child pornography on the internet in Florida and since then my life has been more than miserable. I was 31 years old, and this was my first felony. I received a 24 month sentence along with 120 months probation. I’ve never laid hands on any child, nor have I ever attempted to do so. I knew what I was doing was wrong, but I am an addict (clean and sober for over 21 years now) and had picked a new habit. I’ve heard all the arguments that having looked at such material that I’m an accident waiting to happen; as far as me going out and actually committing an offense against a child. I know myself better than that, and I could never do that. I’ve struggled over the last 13 years, with homelessness, thoughts of suicide and lack of work (even worse now for me than…

originally posted 6/7/2009 A million thank yous. I finally found a group working to change things.  After a failed suicide attempt by my son due to his registry for something he did when he was a little boy, I pray every day he will not try it again. He is the sweetest, funniest and least harmful person ever, but he feels hopeless and now lives day to day in fear of losing his job, not having a place to live, and being taunted. Change needs to happen soon, or I fear I won’t get to see my son grow up.

originally posted 5/30/2009 I’m a registered sex offender. The registry has made my life hell. My friends don’t want any thing to do with me because they don’t want to be seen with any one on the list. It makes it hard to find a job or a place to live. How are we supposed to be a part of this world when the world doesn’t want us? It has turned into a life sentence for me. Some times I think it would be easier to spend the time in a prison.

originally posted 5/25/2009 I know of a child who at one time made a mistake of exposing himself. The law waited for the child to turn 17 before taking it to court. His family had no money so he went with the system (and plea bargained). Now he can no longer live anywhere but on the streets of Ft. Worth. I am so sorry for him. He will never have a chance in life. He was a kid at the time an now has no where to go. NOT FAIR!

originally posted 5/25/2009 We are living a nightmare. My son served in the Navy from 1994 until 2004. He was due to finish his tour in 1999. One month before he was due for discharge, we went to a party on base, given by an enlisted Navy female. There was drinking at the party. During the evening he received oral sex from the female host of the party. Three days later she accused 3 different men at the party of sexual assault. Because of the amount of alcohol consumed, the Navy investigated. My son admitted he had a sexual encounter with the girl, but the other men denied it. In the Military sodomy is a crime along with adultery  The girl was married but no one knew that. Her husband was stationed somewhere else. To make a long story short my son was convicted of sodomy, and because of the alcohol, it was considered non-consensual. He was sentenced to 10 months in the brig. But after review by the appeals committee  it…

originally posted 5/24/2009 My son committed an offense when a teen with a consenting teen and was “pointed out” by a girl who wanted him as a boy friend. Now 21, he cannot find a job to support his own child. He had two jobs at which he was good but lost them to society’s judgement by the employer as ‘unfit’ to work for them). AND they got “rid of him for reasons other than his work”! Amazing, God forgives, but people feel justified for taking the place of God! I am on social security and do what I can to help, but…let’s get JUST LAWS passed for all people stigmatized by the state…

5/14/2009 I am sick and tired of living a Government admitted lie. My appeals statement reads as follows: “Although defendant presented evidence to contradict the testimony of (accusers), upon a motion to dismiss, such discrepancies must be resolved in favor of the state.” And thus ended my life! And they call this justice? I have no interest in living or calling myself an American any longer. What’s the point in it? The government will only do what gets them votes and keeps them stealing our taxes for themselves.