Sex offenders sue over personal info posted online
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SEATTLE -- A group of convicted sex offenders is suing three websites for posting their photos and personal information and then allegedly charging them to take the information down.
In their federal lawsuit, the sex offenders claim that is extortion.
"I was shocked and at the same time I was almost devastated," said one of the sex offenders, who has asked to be referred to as John Doe.
Doe is a level 1 sex offender. A year ago he searched the web to see where his real name popped up and found a privately owned website called Offendex that listed his address, home phone number, cell phone number and photo.
"I'm constantly wondering, 'Gosh, is someone going to look up my name and see me up there," he said.
When he asked the company to take the information down, he claims they said they would erase everything if he paid them $500.
"It is extortion. That's exactly what it is," he said.
This week, Doe and nine others from five different states filed suit against Offendex and two other websites in federal court. The sites claim everything they post is public information and they're just trying to protect the public from sex offenders like John Doe.
Doe was convicted of molesting a 13-year-old boy 17-years ago. He said he spent a year behind bars and has paid his debt to society.
He claims the websites are not only violating his right to privacy, but actually making money off his likeness by selling advertisements.
Doe knows he won't get much sympathy in his fight, but he said he just wants the sites to leave him alone.
"We don't have a lot of people who are going to support us," he said.
State and local governments post the photos of all level II and level II sex offenders.
In their federal lawsuit, the sex offenders claim that is extortion.
"I was shocked and at the same time I was almost devastated," said one of the sex offenders, who has asked to be referred to as John Doe.
Doe is a level 1 sex offender. A year ago he searched the web to see where his real name popped up and found a privately owned website called Offendex that listed his address, home phone number, cell phone number and photo.
"I'm constantly wondering, 'Gosh, is someone going to look up my name and see me up there," he said.
When he asked the company to take the information down, he claims they said they would erase everything if he paid them $500.
"It is extortion. That's exactly what it is," he said.
This week, Doe and nine others from five different states filed suit against Offendex and two other websites in federal court. The sites claim everything they post is public information and they're just trying to protect the public from sex offenders like John Doe.
Doe was convicted of molesting a 13-year-old boy 17-years ago. He said he spent a year behind bars and has paid his debt to society.
He claims the websites are not only violating his right to privacy, but actually making money off his likeness by selling advertisements.
Doe knows he won't get much sympathy in his fight, but he said he just wants the sites to leave him alone.
"We don't have a lot of people who are going to support us," he said.
State and local governments post the photos of all level II and level II sex offenders.
The issue I have with all of this is that back in 2009 I was arrested with a sex charge. I had 2 years of Judiciary Diversion (Meaning that I was not convicted, and that the charge would be dropped at the end of my probation). I kept my nose clean through out probation, it's the only time I have ever been in trouble with the law. I finished probation, and had my record expunged and destroyed. For a couple of months I went website to website to make sure I was off of them all. I google searched my name today, and what do you know, 2 years later I am on a website with me listed on the "SOR". The court dropped the charges and expunged my record. Why do I have to pay $399.00 to get off of a website, for a charge that I "legally" do not have?
I would like to say again that I am very pleased with the educated people who have posted here. It's unfortunate that some just want to spew ignorance like this Bruce fella below. He's wrong like some on here but many have opened their eye's and have gotten it right, thank you. I would be a very miserable person If I was not blessed with an open mind.
Why are there so few people addressing the issues. Everyone is running around patting each other on the back and saying "good job for being educated" but clearly, there are very few people on this post truly educated.
The websites posting this individual's (or any similar individuals) personal information has every right to do so. They are breaking absolutely no laws. So long as the sites are not spreading any lies, the sites themselves are not illegal.Â
The entire purpose of the sex offender registry is in fact to to share the information with others. One is well within their rights to print out photo's, address, name, or any other information from a sex offender registry and pass it around their town, to local businesses, or anywhere else they want.Â
The people in question have no right to privacy. Anyone claiming they have such a right, doesn't know the law about registered sex offenders. Is it a form of double jeopardy to punish these criminals twice by making them register after they have served time? Nope not according to US law. Does that mean we as citizens have the right to go to the tallest cyber mountain and scream it for all the world to know? Yes it does mean we have that right.Â
How would I like to be remembered for the worst thing I have ever done.... damn that would suck.... then again I have never raped a person, collected child pornography, had sex with a minor, murdered someone, or any other heinous crimes.
The question here is not about whether or not the website had the right to post private information of registered sex offenders. CLEARLY they had such a right so. The only question is, do they have the right to charge the person to have that content removed - or is that extortion.Â
In my opinion its certainly not extortion. To me its no more extortion than it is for a phone company to charge me to get an unlisted number. If I don't pay the fee's my information is found in countless phone books. To me if its not extortion in that instance, it shouldn't be extortion in another instance of similar practice of a different situation.Â
@Bruce Bates Your wrong in many way's. Stop trying to pretend to be educated. Writing so much only make's you seem that more ignorant.
MikeFlint - why should we believe you?
And even if you are correct -- so what? Â He STILL has the right to be free from extortion. Â How would you like to be known for the worst thing you've ever done? Â
What is the purpose of your posting here?
This is the sorarchives website trying to harass and showing what they are all about. Thank you Virgina Hall. I agree with you 100 percent. Thank you KOMO for your superb moderation.
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@mikeflint hmm, clearly offendex themselves are on here trying to do damage control - nice work morons
@mikeflint what he did was in the past has nothing to do with this ... we are talking about NOW.
@mikeflint This is the third or fourth time this has been posted. Has anything changed? I heard that you are with one of the companies named in the lawsuit. If true, I'm guessing that makes you a non-objective commenter.
It sounds like anonymous has a legitimate case. I have always felt this "sex offender" thing has been blown way out of proportion for many people, such as the man or woman that looks at some pictures, or the person that has had one too many drinks and streaks in the front yard. It seems to me that all the people these laws were intended for are not affected by them in any way, shape or form, because they are for the most part on death row or doing life without. It has always seemed wrong to utterly destroy someone for looking at pictures or some otherwise minor infraction that has been blown so far out of proportion it makes your head spin! John Doe; I wish you the best of luck in your fight for what is right and God bless you.
"The rate of recidivism among sex offenders nationally, studies show, is between 5 percent and 10 percent over a decade. One study in Minnesota determined that residency restrictions would not have prevented any of the 224 sex offenses researchers examined."
http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2013-03-22/news/fl-sex-offender-meeting-20130322_1_offender-residency-offender-restrictions-residency-restrictions
I am happy to see that that there are still some very intelligent people in this world and people with compassion. Minus some of the misinformed and just plain ignorant their is some hope here. I believe the more people that are educated and informed in this matter the less likely we are to have fear and hysteria about sex offenses. All many  of them  really want is a second chance to prove that they are  not the monsters that our government and misinformed society is making them out to be. Do not let people try to convince you that the recidivism rate is 90% omg that is just so ridiculous. It is actually the lowest recidivism rate of any crime at about 5 percent. Please continued to educate yourselves rather then listening to some of the garbage on here. And pray for John Doe who has the courage to take on cyber bullies not just for him but for all of us, Is that the act of a monster???
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Justin: First, I don't think it is right they are harrassing his mother. However, Doe, whether he committed this act 17 or 30 yrs ago is still guilty of this heinous crime. And no matter which way you try to paint it, it still remains. He is not entitled to any concessions or considerations.
The recidivism (repeat) rate for sex offenders is high. One American study suggested that it is as high as 90%, and a Canadian study suggested it is apprx 88%. And that is in the plus-minus range of 1.0.
I'm sure if it was you or a member of your family that was violated, you would have a much different outlook or your mind-set would be different.
In short, he is feeling sorry for himself. In his mind he thinks he has repaid hid debt. And lets not foget whom the real victims are; they are left to live with this for the rest of their lives. Again I will say it is not right they go after his mother or friends. However, if I had a friend that was a sex offender, I wouldn't have him as a friend for long. You are also judged by the company you keep.
@John WRONG on several counts.  He is not "still guilty".  He was convicted, did his time plus probation/parole/treatment, he is done.  That's how our legal system works.  We do not have "FOREVER GUILTY"any more than we have "FOREVER INNOCENT".  Ex felons, like the ones who helped found this country, are allowed to reintegrate into society after they have paid their debt.  Get over it.  You don't need to give anyone any concessions or considerations, but Mr. Doe is an American citizen with rights.  The Constitution and Bill of Rights protect all citizens, even ones you don't like.
Show me the study. Â Show me the study stating there are documented, credible reoffense rates in the range you state. Â Let's see it. Â Break it out.
I am a rape survivor. Â The operative word is survivor. Â And no, not all of us go through life in a stance of perpetual victimhood. Â I chose to end the power my abuser had over me. No, he was not on a registry. Â I would not feel any safer if he were. Don't you dare say "I am sure ..." cause you're NOT. Â
In short, you are judged by what comes out of your mouth, because it reflects your thoughts.
@Virginia Hallvirginia, bless you...i am so sorry that you were a victim of rape and i thank you for your strength and choosing life, and choosing to still MAKE a life i know that must have been hard and still must be here  n there
@John If I remember correctly, Jesus was heavily criticized for the company he kept also, among them sinners and prostitutes.
And if you put credence in the Bible and Biblical examples, remember that St. Paul, before God chose him, was a murderer and persecutor of the church.Â
And a friend is one who hates the sin but loves the sinner and offers friendship and emotional support and helps him turn from his sin and sin no more. This is what God asks us to to.
And I have had several family members sexually molested and abused, and it wasn't by those on the registry. It was by those close to them in their lives.
And, finally, recidivism is a weak argument on both sides, but your figures are way, way off. See above.
@John Wow talk about coming on and just trying to spread fear. Your not just uninformed your a freakin Liar!! Take your lies and hate somewhere else John.
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@Sissy Thank you for sharing this :)
I have noticed that a lot of people have gone off of topic. The story is that Mr. Doe was convicted of this crime 17 years ago. He is a level 1 sex offender. He is not on any government sites. sorarchives.com, offendex.com, and offendexdata.com posted his picture on a private mug shot site. For about 8 months now he has been harassed by the owners. They have gone as far as posting up pictures of his friends and family. They are treating him like he is a monster. They are asking for upwards of five hundred dollars to take this down. They have even gone as far as harassing his Mother. With all that being said is it fair or right what these people are doing? Â
I gathered this information from the website that was created because of this terrible situation, it is www.offendextortion.com the whole story is their.
So far I've posed this question twice and nobody seems to be able to answer it. So I pose it again.
Convicted drunk drivers are very likely to reoffend. Persons who committed armed robbery or sold hard drugs are very likely to reoffend. Why aren't they listed to the public as a warning? Â
@jowsuf Because the government is on a witch hunt. The registry and the laws that apply to it have been referred to as  "Nazi Germany" form of government.Â
@jowsuf bec the lawmaker know they will find themselves on the list so they won't pass it..Â
http://www.citypages.com/2013-03-20/news/patty-wetterling-questions-sex-offender-laws/full/
@Shelly Stow I thought you left for good? How about this guy? I wonder what his real plan was?
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Man-in-UW-attack-held-on-900-000-bail-3387090.php
Your link....I don't mind changing the criteria for who and who is not listed but I'm willing to bet the vast majority will want to know if this guy is released and living in their neighborhood.
@Seattleisaslew @Shelly Stow How about we discuss this list?
http://www.oncefallen.com/youmightbersoif.html
@Seattleisaslew @Shelly Stow You really need to stop comparing this with other crimes. John Doe has gone 17 years with out committing any sexual offenses. Your angry, you have posted a lot on here and people are trying to give you an example of reality. So sticking on Topic is it fare that these websites have drudged up the past for Mr. Doe and that because of that he can no longer work. What about his children is this fair to them? Since Mr. Doe has proven that he can now live a normal life is it right to take that away from him 17years later? Show some compassion please.Â
DISCUSSION:Â Â Should we completely ABOLISH the Sex Offender Registry (SOR) laws as a citizens' statement that all citizens of the United States shall NOT have any degree of diminished Constitutional rights?
@Tom Madison DISCUSSION: Should one have thought before committing a crime against a 16 year old OR is it easier to play the victim ipso facto?
@schramalot @Tom Madison you can ask that question of any crime or action.  Only previously convicted sex offendes are singled out for extra punishment without due process of the law.  This makes the registry law not equal under the law and is undemocrartic by its very nature.
 @mambearroars ....the courts seemed to rule it Constitutional. Guess they should have checked with you first.
@schramalot @Tom Madison the problem with this is those laws was NOT passed until they did their crimes. Those laws ADDED more punishment AFTER they did the crimes.Â
@schramalot so why haven't the other state done the same..Â
 @Luman....in the case of the State of Maryland (John Doe v. Department of Public Safety & Corrections) the law is unconstitutional because the state tried to apply it retroactively to offenses. This website will be shut down because it reeks of extortion. As for my comment above, wrong, the law was already in place when Tommy Boy chose to cross it.... now he plays the victim.
Since the public supports the registries; Why not create one that lists irresponsible women that have killed their children (murder) under the legality of ABORTION? It is only fair regardless of the circumstances. They murder innocent unborn babies and they should be branded for life too.
@Gordon Grainger Because "legal" means it's not murder. What a stupid comment.
@Seattleisaslew @Gordon Grainger Slavery, Eugenics (forced sterilization of mentally retarded or ill), racial segregation, internment camps, torture of detainees, and other such laws were on the books too so that means it was not wrong, huh? You are the last person who should be calling ANYONE stupid.
@Seattleisaslew @oncefallenbook @Gordon Grainger Thank you CHuck.
@Tom Madison @Seattleisaslew @oncefallenbook @Gordon Grainger People who commit heinous sex crimes are paraded through the courts, newspapers, web, etc. Aren't they now public figures all due to their own crimes? Â
@Seattleisaslew @Tom Madison @oncefallenbook @Gordon Grainger Â
Good question. The answer lies in the fact that there are "public personalities" such as rock and movie stars, football heroes and of course, my favorite people "elected officials". Common law recognizes them as "public" personalities. They have a different expectation of privacy than do other people who still value their privacy and anonymity. Â
@Tom Madison @Seattleisaslew @oncefallenbook @Gordon Grainger How about someone like Bernie Madoff? If he were able to complete his sentence should he be allowed back into the stock market?
@Tom Madison @Seattleisaslew @oncefallenbook @Gordon GraingerÂ
First things first. Answer my question. If GW and Cheney do their time for war crimes as you've stated how do we whitewash their legacies to hide the fact that they were convicted?
@Seattleisaslew @oncefallenbook @Gordon Grainger Â
From what I can gather, it is your fascist tough-on-crime (for profit) attitude that has not been well argued. Why don't you clear things up a bit and state in a new top of the blog message about your actual positions on:
1- Sex Offender Registry
2- Former Sex Offenders
3- Profiting from the degraded legal status of publicly listed Sex Offenders Â
4- Should criminal statistics be a basis for public policy.
5- Should some citizens have degraded legal rights in a society where most people hold to democratic equality under the law.
Will you please?
@oncefallenbook @Seattleisaslew @Gordon Grainger You post nothing but stupid. Grainger mostly just whines.
@Seattleisaslew @Gordon Grainger you stupidity is all over this forum.
http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/mcmartin/mcmartinaccount.html
One on the most outrageous historical cases of our time was the was the Satanic McMartin Preschool Abuse trial. Â Here is an example of manipulation and injustice and the media played it like a daily movie series. Â This entire family suffered, but the children that were coerced into saying things that did not happen also were victims of the system. Â This is an example of how emotions remove rational and thoughtful analyses and create a family (Here) of victims. Â Unemotionalized, balanced news reporting is as important in the case and our justice system as these laws are. Â We are all wired to be reactionary with fear when we hear a tale of something. Â Whether it is fact or not is up to the best justice system we can have and that is free from emotionalized coverage.
@mamabearroars You mean like using the .00000001% to justify undoing the other .99999999%?
@Seattleisaslew @mamabearroars Read some books on this subject with the idea of "Learning Something."  You seem to be filled with malice which you have absorb through emotionalized television crime shows.  Reason is set aside and emotions roll likle high waves on a stormy sea.  There is so much more to the justice system in this country and this is just one aspect of it, but it has done damage to our system of justice and the public would have been better service to have had a balanced and unemotionalized reporting over the years.Â
The Sex Offender Registry (SOR) list represents a political repression tool used by government to increasingly control and cow the citizens of this country. Ever notice the expanding nature of these political persecution lists? The arson registry (IL), the gun registries (NY and elsewhere), and child abusers (non sexual) lists (growing in popularity). Either we the citizens have basic legal rights (as per Constitutional rights) or we do not.  We MUST stand up for all American's civil/constitutional rights or we will lose the War Against Rights (WAR) being wages by the government of Washington State and the United States Government against its own citizens. Do NOT fall for the trap of allowing some citizens to be stripped of their FULL legal rights (such as FELONS and [former] SEX OFFENDERS).Â
With the War Against Rights movement by the federal government (as WA too), and with the growing powers of the federal Executive Branch, our Assassinator in Chief will likely find reasons to kill those who stand against the illegal police actions and wars around the world.
@Tom Madison Ah, all clear now. Time for the militia meeting isn't it?
@Seattleisaslew @Tom Madison Seattle, you must be very young or very ignorant. Stop spewing hatred and educate yourself on this topic. Your making yourself look like an ignorant fool.
'Seattle' . . Are you...well, .. playing with yourself while you are posting here? I just can't help but to wonder where your concentration keeps drifting off to . . . It's like you really aren't 'here' in the full sense of the word as the rest of us are.
'Seattle' . . Oh brother, I've got "game" until the cows come home.. But I've also got to make a living while fighting for other people's Constitutional rights. But yes, I do enjoy reducing to rubble fear-monger-haters like you 'Seattle'.. It is cleansing for the soul for sure . .Â
@Madelin D Farrfan Posting while stupid gets old after the first few times. If you have no game sit on the bench.
@Seattleisaslew @Tom Madison You are probably pro drones, right?
@Seattleisaslew @oncefallenbook @mamabearroars @Tom Madison Why do you think the media uses the term "Predator" when it has no legitmate meaning in any empirical data related to sex offender issues?  What was the last book you read?  What do you use as your source of information on sex offender issues?
@oncefallenbook @mamabearroars @Seattleisaslew @Tom Madison No I am sure he owns one of these extortion sites and he is trying to defend his criminal endeavor. He's a shmuck and really doesn't even deserve this comment. He needs to be ignored.
@Tom Madison @Seattleisaslew @mamabearroars But once prosecuted and they've done their time we erase all traces from the history books right?
@oncefallenbook @Tom Madison @Seattleisaslew @mamabearroars I think seattleisaslew is actually brent or chuck
@Tom Madison @Seattleisaslew @mamabearroars I'm willing to bet seattleisaslew is offended because we know his little scheme.
@Seattleisaslew @Tom Madison @mamabearroars Â
That we can agree on:Â Prosecute all war criminals since (at least) before the 2003 war in Iraq. Â Now if we can only agree that we citizens of the (formerly free soicety) of the United States must stand as one to force government to restore all constitutional rights for EVERYBODY (sex offenders too).
Â
@oncefallenbook @mamabearroars @Seattleisaslew @Tom Madison Versus an apologist for sexual predators? I'll take that.
@Tom Madison @mamabearroars @Seattleisaslew Cool. So start with Bush and Cheney right?
@mamabearroars @Seattleisaslew @Tom Madison Seattleisaslew is likely some schmuck who profiteers somehow off of the fears of the ignorant public. He probably sells Brinks home lockdown kits to soccer moms and little old ladies.Â
@mamabearroars @Seattleisaslew @Tom Madison
I am pro- impeach the war criminals in the White House and then prosecute them to the full extent of the law (federal and international).
Nope nor cameras but see my comment above. Time for you two to don your camo, get a room and play freedom fighter.
@Seattleisaslew @Tom Madison Typical response from a likely TV "news" watcher. Ever read any books on the subjects of the growing police state in this country? Or about the war on our US Constitution (PATRIOT ACT, NDAA-2012/2013)? Do you have all of your Constitutional rights today Seattleisaslew?  No, you do not.  Â
Turn off the TV "news" and read a book about what you can do to counter the war on the Constitution and our democratic society.
@schramalot In your hysteria you are pointing fingers and acting irrational.Â
@Tom Madison...you snivel and whine about your rights being taken away and how you are a victim when it is YOU. (AND I MEAN YOU) Tommy Boy who chose to live outside the laws of a decent society by your actions...Not me, not the majority of law abiding citizens, YOU are responsible for your actions and your situation...deal with it..
@Gordon Grainger @Tom Madison @Seattleisaslew Â
The likes of Offendex, et. al., are profit whores who follow in the steps of Washington State's elected whores of profiting off of other people's mis-steps / wrong-doing of the past.  Offendex is nothing more than what the whores in Olympia have been doing since the great sex offender panic took hold over common sense and evidence: leverage their careers on the back of the constitutionally degraded "other". That is what this game is all about: The political persecution of the degraded other for political gain.
@Tom Madison @Seattleisaslew Hey Tom how about your intelligence address the fact that CHuck of Offendex/sorarchives and Brent of onlinedetective harassed my family and placed my infant son at risk and that law enforcement failed to do their job?
@Seattleisaslew Your vested Constitutional rights are the same as mine. If you were to lose some of those inalienable rights then I will be there to defend you. I would be there to make sure that you got the attention you needed to get the government's attack on your basic legal rights stopped.
 I WILL stand up for you. Will you not stand up for others who have lost many of their legal rights (felons and former sex offenders)?
Â
2012/2013? Did you purposely forget the signer of the act? I think so. Bad self inflicted memories huh? Sorry but this isn't going to be turned into a whack job paranoid militia debate. Leave that for Idaho.