# Legal to Expose Child Sex Predator to Neighborhood? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 25, 2015, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-to-expose-child-sex-predator-to-neighborhood/720809 "2015-05-25T17:15:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BlueValley45](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ba0ec/32.png) [@BlueValley45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlueValley45)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-to-expose-child-sex-predator-to-neighborhood/720809/1 "2015-05-25T17:15:46Z")
For over five months I rented a room from a man I knew was a convicted child sex offender. That is documented in my states sex offender registry and it was later a local news story when he was also convicted of failing to register with the state. I left the residence in Feb/Mar of this year tired of his trying to mooch money, food etc. from me. He kept my last months rent because he’s an a\*\*. Because of his story being on the news, on the web etc. he is terrified of being recognized, he hides in his house, has no numbers on the mailbox, etc. Am I breaking any law by mailing his immediate neighbors copies of the news story and the state police webpage which both have his photos? I should also mention he is a church organist who has a very difficult time finding employment because of his past. And he also lives within a mile of 3 different schools. Really want him to sweat some. Thanks for reading. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-to-expose-child-sex-predator-to-neighborhood/720809/2 "2015-05-25T18:04:21Z")
You want to go on a campaign to terrorize and socially nuke someone and terminate any employment opportunities because you had a Landlord/Tenant rent dispute with them for a short term lease? He may be an ex-molester and an asshole but you sound borderline sociopathic. No bunnies for you! ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-to-expose-child-sex-predator-to-neighborhood/720809/3 "2015-05-25T18:17:56Z")
I would tell someone if I had good reason to believe they were going to re-offend. But being an asshole to you doesn’t not mean he’s a danger to society. All exposing him is going to do is make it harder for him to have a law-abiding life. The mature thing to do is just to put him out of your mind. ---
**Author:** ![BlueValley45](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ba0ec/32.png) [@BlueValley45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlueValley45)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-to-expose-child-sex-predator-to-neighborhood/720809/4 "2015-05-25T18:19:02Z")
Thank you but I asked if I am breaking any laws, not am I being moral or not. I have no empathy for people of his type. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-to-expose-child-sex-predator-to-neighborhood/720809/5 "2015-05-25T18:20:20Z")
Heh. “Expose”. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-to-expose-child-sex-predator-to-neighborhood/720809/6 "2015-05-25T18:26:39Z")
> [@BlueValley45](#): > > Thank you but I asked if I am breaking any laws, not am I being moral or not. What law are you concerned about. Generally, there is no liability for repeating public information. However, if I were you lawyer (which I’m not) I would advise against it. What if someone learned about his whereabouts from your efforts and did something terrible to him? I’d think there would be some chance that he (or his estate) might try to sue you for inciting the crazies to do something to him. Given that you clearly have a grudge against him, establishing motive would not be a problem. A clever lawyer could certainly come up with a tort theory of liability against you, even if you might ultimately prevail. If you have reason to believe he’s a danger to someone, I’d suggest going to the authorities. If you just want to fuck with him, I’d advise against it. Although to answer your question, I am unaware of any criminal statutes you’d be violating. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-to-expose-child-sex-predator-to-neighborhood/720809/7 "2015-05-25T18:27:18Z")
> [@BlueValley45](#): > > Thank you but I asked if I am breaking any laws, not am I being moral or not. I have no empathy for people of his type. If it’s already public record, why would sharing this information be illegal? Be sure to include your name and address on these mailings so that people know who to contact for further information. Don’t wimp out by doing the anonymous tipster thing. Something as serious as this calls for real courage. ---
**Author:** ![BlueValley45](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ba0ec/32.png) [@BlueValley45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlueValley45)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-to-expose-child-sex-predator-to-neighborhood/720809/8 "2015-05-25T18:36:15Z")
The web shot shows his photo, convictions, address, dob, everything. State police public record. They publish it. The news story is from a local network affiliate website, shows his picture, describes the charges. Public information also. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-to-expose-child-sex-predator-to-neighborhood/720809/9 "2015-05-25T18:38:09Z")
> [@BlueValley45](#): > > He kept my last months rent because he’s an a\*\*. Did you mean the security deposit? Because he is entitled to be paid for the last month. If it was the security deposit, why not just sue him? In my state, if the security deposit is not returned in 14 days, the landlord must show cause or pay double the amount of the deposit. ---
**Author:** ![BlueValley45](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ba0ec/32.png) [@BlueValley45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlueValley45)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-to-expose-child-sex-predator-to-neighborhood/720809/10 "2015-05-25T18:41:44Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Did you mean the security deposit? Because he is entitled to be paid for the last month. If it was the security deposit, why not just sue him? In my state, if the security deposit is not returned in 14 days, the landlord must show cause or pay double the amount of the deposit. In the city of the residence all the county laws favor the landlords, it would cost as much to files the papers and do it myself as the amount he kept. ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-to-expose-child-sex-predator-to-neighborhood/720809/11 "2015-05-25T18:44:03Z")
> [@BlueValley45](#): > > Thank you but I asked if I am breaking any laws, not am I being moral or not. I have no empathy for people of his type. If you were honestly concerned about “protecting potential victims” then you would have phoned the police/schools/media while still living there. This is about trying to get back at then person and exact some kind of revenge. As far as breaking any laws, I imagine it would depend what exactly you were trying to do, and what you said ---
**Author:** ![BlueValley45](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ba0ec/32.png) [@BlueValley45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlueValley45)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-to-expose-child-sex-predator-to-neighborhood/720809/12 "2015-05-25T18:47:03Z")
> [@Poysyn](#): > > If you were honestly concerned about “protecting potential victims” then you would have phoned the police/schools/media while still living there. This is about trying to get back at then person and exact some kind of revenge. > > As far as breaking any laws, I imagine it would depend what exactly you were trying to do, and what you said I admit it. Yes it is about revenge. He screwed his life up, let him suffer all the consequences. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-to-expose-child-sex-predator-to-neighborhood/720809/13 "2015-05-25T18:53:58Z")
> [@BlueValley45](#): > > I admit it. Yes it is about revenge. He screwed his life up, let him suffer all the consequences. Well, I know exactly how far you can go legally and get away with it. But I’ll be damned if I’m going to tell you how to ruin someone else’s life. ---
**Author:** ![BlueValley45](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ba0ec/32.png) [@BlueValley45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlueValley45)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-to-expose-child-sex-predator-to-neighborhood/720809/14 "2015-05-25T18:55:24Z")
Thank you all for your honest input. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-to-expose-child-sex-predator-to-neighborhood/720809/15 "2015-05-25T19:09:22Z")
> [@BlueValley45](#): > > . . . I left the residence in Feb/Mar of this year tired of his trying to mooch money, food etc. from me. He kept my last months rent because he’s an a\*\*. Because of his story being on the news, on the web etc. he is terrified of being recognized, he hides in his house, has no numbers on the mailbox, etc. . . . Are you proposing to plaster the 'hood with posters about him? Or are you proposing to just _threaten_ to do so? If he that scared (and with obvious cause) of being outed, and you want your money back, you might start by simply threatening to do this. That might suffice to scare some dollars out of him. (And in which case, you ought to be asking our on-board lawyers if that puts you on the wrong side of any blackmail laws.) And if that doesn’t scare some money out of him, _then_ you could think about outing him. In that case, you’d probably still get the same negative advice from a lot of people here. ---
**Author:** ![BlueValley45](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ba0ec/32.png) [@BlueValley45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlueValley45)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-to-expose-child-sex-predator-to-neighborhood/720809/16 "2015-05-25T19:16:29Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > Are you proposing to plaster the 'hood with posters about him? > > Or are you proposing to just _threaten_ to do so? > > If he that scared (and with obvious cause) of being outed, and you want your money back, you might start by simply threatening to do this. That might suffice to scare some dollars out of him. (And in which case, you ought to be asking our on-board lawyers if that puts you on the wrong side of any blackmail laws.) > > And if that doesn’t scare some money out of him, _then_ you could think about outing him. In that case, you’d probably still get the same negative advice from a lot of people here. No plastering because then they can charge me with littering or something. Just mailing his immediate neighbors who are members of the condo association he is part of, the 3 local schools. Maybe send him one first. Yes he is never ever outside, he leaves to go give organ lessons, to the store, etc. He does not want negative attention and that is his Achilles heel. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-to-expose-child-sex-predator-to-neighborhood/720809/17 "2015-05-25T19:18:38Z")
There seems to be a lot of sympathy in this thread towards the idea of allowing the guy at least a chance at being part of society and living a law-abiding life. Example: > [@monstro](#): > > But being an asshole to you doesn’t not mean he’s a danger to society. All exposing him is going to do is make it harder for him to have a law-abiding life. Where’s the debate over our current societal trend of so shunning sex offenders that they become marked and ostracized for life, living in culverts at the edge of town, unable to work or find housing, never even allowed an opportunity to rehabilitate themselves? The tone of this thread stands in marked contrast to that Pit thread about Josh You-Know-Who, where the only guy who openly advocates for Josh to have a new chance gets pitted himself. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-to-expose-child-sex-predator-to-neighborhood/720809/18 "2015-05-25T19:20:21Z")
Are all your threads about the same landlord, or are did you have three bad ones right in a row? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-to-expose-child-sex-predator-to-neighborhood/720809/19 "2015-05-25T19:24:46Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > There seems to be a lot of sympathy in this thread towards the idea of allowing the guy at least a chance at being part of society and living a law-abiding life. Example: > > Where’s the debate over our current societal trend of so shunning sex offenders that they become marked and ostracized for life, living in culverts at the edge of town, unable to work or find housing, never even allowed an opportunity to rehabilitate themselves? > > The tone of this thread stands in marked contrast to that Pit thread about Josh You-Know-Who, where the only guy who openly advocates for Josh to have a new chance gets pitted himself. In this example, we’re talking about a man that has served his time and is having a hard time making a go of it on the outside. In the previous example, we’re talking about a child molester that didn’t pay for his crimes and instead became a popular moral leader. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-to-expose-child-sex-predator-to-neighborhood/720809/20 "2015-05-25T19:30:14Z")
> [@BlueValley45](#): > > Because of his story being on the news, on the web etc. he is terrified of being recognized, he hides in his house, has no numbers on the mailbox, etc. > [@](#): > > I admit it. Yes it is about revenge. He screwed his life up, let him suffer all the consequences. Sounds like it’s already covered. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-to-expose-child-sex-predator-to-neighborhood/720809.md?page=2)