Online registry tracks sexual, violent offenders

Lake County residents can inform themselves about known sexual and violent criminals in their area thanks to a continually-updated online registry run through the Montana Department of Corrections.

The database, known as the Montana Sexual and Violent Offender Registry or SVOR provides information about individuals who were convicted of eligible sexual or violent crimes that earned their placement on the list, according to the SVOR website. 

The registry documents each convict’s name, description, the conviction that earned him on to the list, a mugshot and location where he or she resides. Most registrants are men, but a few women are also listed.

Created in 1989, its purpose is to help citizens and the law enforcement community protect themselves and each other, it said.

To date there are 165 sexual or violent offenders registered in Lake County who reside in 168 locations according to the registry. There are 68 sexual offenders and 98 violent offenders, and at presstime, there were 27 non-compliant sexual or violent offenders listed as living in Lake County and one offender who was designated as both.

Parnell is not listed on the registry.

The tier system on the registry classifies the likelihood of the convict re-offending.

“Three” is the highest level an offender can earn and to date, there are four “level three” offenders and eight “level two” offenders.

About a dozen felony sexual convictions can earn someone on to the list. Individuals listed as “level one” offenders are least likely to commit an offense in the future, the SVOR website said. 

“Level two” offenders are at moderate risk of re-offending and “level three” offenders are at high risk. Additionally, “level three” offenders are designated as a public threat and determined to be sexually-violent predators, the Montana Department of Corrections website said. Those whose listing bears no tier level were either convicted before 1997 or were not assigned a level by their sentencing judge.

Tier levels do not exist for violent offenders.

Registered convicts know ahead of their release from custody what process they must complete to remain compliant in the Sexual and Violent Offender Registry. 

Once on their own, each convict has his or her own set of requirements depending on their pre-designated level.  In most cases the Department of Justice sends a registration verification form in the mail. 

The exception lies in transient convicts who must report to their authorized agency every 30 days. There is one transient listed in Lake County.

During the mail-in reporting process, registry members must reply with a completed form and notarized signature within 10 days of their mail notification or he or she can go to their local authorized registration location to take care of the chore.

Tier three convicts must register every 90 days. Tier two convicts register every six months and tier one convicts report their locations annually. 

Two “level three” sexual-violent predators are not compliant with their registration at presstime, the registry said.

Convicts who end up on the non-compliant list failed to return their registration mailers or check in with authorities. 

Along with the ability to search the database online, the registry offers a phone application and email update notification service.

All SVOR programs can be found online at app.doj.mt.gov.