A California sex offender who moved from Fresno to Oakdale is in custody after apparently attacking TV reporters and cameramen who showed up at his residence. The man recently moved to the area, but told officials that he did not have a permanent address. From the Modesto Bee:
Videos from KCRA and News10 (KXTV) also show Darren Kalani Kawamoto brandishing a box cutter before another man restrained him.
Kawamoto was arrested and taken to the Stanislaus County Jail in Modesto.
Kawamoto registered with law enforcement agencies in Oakdale and Riverbank last week, according to Oakdale Police Chief Marty West. Kawamoto, 44, said he intended to move near either of the Stanislaus County cities.
Kawamoto's offenses include sodomy and oral copulation with someone younger than 14 or with force, according to the Megan's Law Web site.
He no longer is on active supervision but state law requires sex offenders to register even after they are released from probation or parole.
Kawamoto had recently been living in Fresno and told authorities he will not have a permanent address. Sex offenders without permanent addresses must register as "transients."
As a transient, state law requires him to visit nearby law enforcement agencies every 30 days. If he fails to show up, West said, Kawamoto could face criminal charges.
Registered sex offenders with permanent addresses must check in once a year with law enforcement agencies.
There is always two sides to the story, the above is one sided, from the media's view.
This man, was registered, and was doing everything within the law, this media organization is nothing more than MEDIA VIGILANTISM. They were on private property harassing him, and with the constant harassment many sex offenders receive on a regular basis, I don't blame the man for snapping and getting ticked off. But, he did react in a stupid way, and now he's paying for it.
So I guess the vigilante media helped the neighborhood get their wish, by taking the law into their own hands.
It's all about getting a story, at any expense. They should be in jail for harassment, and trespassing on private property. Why is nobody mentioning that? This is pure harassment.
http://sexoffenderissues.blogspot.com/2008/11/ca-sex-offender-attacks-news-crews.html
Posted by: Sex Offender Issues | November 13, 2008 at 12:56 AM
Everyone has a boiling point. The way in which my own family has had to endure the "INTENDED CONSEQUENCES" of these very disturbing, unethical laws; I myself am ready to start swinging, enough is enough. Who are they kidding, everyone labeled a sex offender should carry a machete, it's a real jungle out there. This man is human and he is the prey, For life! So is his family and anyone listed in that household, they are all subject to harm by vigilantes and ostracized. Anyone who is associated with or tries to help anyone marked a sex offender is under attack. It's a fact! Judges, public defenders, attorneys, Politicians, citizens, family members, anyone who speaks out against these demented laws has received threats and loss of credibility. Let's get REAL! Push come to shove, something has to give, the line in the sand has been crossed. What's needed is a peaceful, happy medium, some common sense reform? Change!
Posted by: Land of the free? | November 15, 2008 at 10:43 AM