# The handyman is a convicted sex offender. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 29, 2012, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724 "2012-07-29T02:27:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/181 "2012-07-30T17:12:22Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > I thought it was the girlfriend who wasn’t paying child support and not Mr. Ex-Con-Linoleum-Layer…? Unless **crime scene** hired her, too, that’s not an issue. > > ETA: Also, while not an authority on employment law, there’s a difference between being assessed child support and having one’s wages garnished. I don’t think we know enough about the situation to know if any of the potential non-support parties here are required to pay on their own, or if the courts have required garnishment. Garnishment is not automatic in all cases, it does require a court procedure. See post #114. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_In_Black)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/182 "2012-07-30T17:19:16Z")
> [@bengangmo](#): > > Nope he didn’t - > > He equated pedophilia to the structure of the brain, as in, it being something that the sufferer can’t help (although they can choose not to act on it) to homosexuality also being the structure of the brain and not a lifestyle choice. > > If I understood correctly, it was not a value judgement, but rather a statement of fact that nobody “chooses” to be have pedophillic attractions, anymore than somebody chooses to be gay. It’s just the way that the individual brain is wired. Someone understands. Beastly Rotter, learn to read. It helps. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/183 "2012-07-30T17:20:05Z")
> [@Troppus](#): > > Unless Crime Scene has reported this new hire to the [Missouri Department of Social Services](https://www.missouriemployer.dss.mo.gov/)for enforcement of child support payment in order to cut a portion of his pay directly to the state, this isn’t a legal living. Please stick to topics you know the something about. Alternatively, please list the factors which distinguish an employee from an independent contractor under Missouri law. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_In_Black)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/184 "2012-07-30T17:23:19Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > A pedophile may not be able to help the way he feels. He CAN control the way he ACTS. His brain never forced him to rape that girl. If you are honestly calling him the victim, because “his brain is wired that way”, you’re the fucking stupid one. Are you an idiot? The guy said he wants to round up all pedos, even the ones who never did anything wrong, and put them in prison for life. No sir. You are the fucking stupid one. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/185 "2012-07-30T17:30:14Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Whatever the “sexual contact” (per the law) consisted of, we know it was something the court thought was worth two years. Reprehensible no matter what, of course, but he was not given a life sentence, nor is there a solid basis to believe he’s incurably dangerous today. > > To the OP, I’d have say “Go with your gut”. If you feel he’s safe today, then take him for what else you know he is - a really good worker. It sounds to me that he was charged as a juvenile to only get 2 years. That statute could either be a class B felony 5-10 years or a class A felony 10-30 years. Can’t tell from that website. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/186 "2012-07-30T17:44:40Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > It sounds to me that he was charged as a juvenile to only get 2 years. That statute could either be a class B felony 5-10 years or a class A felony 10-30 years. Can’t tell from that website. It was a Class B felony, which is worth 5-15 years today. However, the sentencing statute has been amended twice since 1990 so there’s no telling what it was back then. Missouri statute annotations don’t include deleted text. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/187 "2012-07-30T17:51:52Z")
> [@Crime\_Scene](#): > > … > The one thing that does make me raise my eyebrows is the fact that he is dating a girl that is much younger than himself, so I imagine the attraction to younger people is still there… There could be quite a lot going on with that relationship. You mentioned (I think) that this girl has a child that she does not have custody of. Pedophiles have been known to groom a parent, even establish a relationship with one - even MARRY one - to gain access to the child. I have personal knowledge of such a situation (a friend… her now-ex-husband will be in jail for a very long time). Other than that: let the guy finish his job. The tricky thing will be if he wants to use you as a reference: how do you handle a phone call from another prospective client: “Yeah - did great work on the flooring but, um, if you got any kids don’t hire him”. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/188 "2012-07-30T17:59:25Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > When I was 17, my girlfriend was 16. I guess I’m lucky I didn’t go to jail. You are, actually. Depending on the laws in your jurisdiction, if you and the lady did some fun stuff together, and her parents were displeased, they could have ruined your life. We’ve heard of things like this including one recent local situation, mentioned by a professional who was involved with the family (no confidentiality violated, no names or other identifying info, just “mad mother, ruined boyfriend”). IIRC in that situation, the girl was 17 and the boy was 18. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/189 "2012-07-30T18:08:14Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > You are, actually. > > Depending on the laws in your jurisdiction, if you and the lady did some fun stuff together, and her parents were displeased, they could have ruined your life. We’ve heard of things like this including one recent local situation, mentioned by a professional who was involved with the family (no confidentiality violated, no names or other identifying info, just “mad mother, ruined boyfriend”). IIRC in that situation, the girl was 17 and the boy was 18. What state? ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/190 "2012-07-30T18:48:12Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > What state? Virginia, I believe, and [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ages_of_consent_in_North_America) bears this out: > [@](#): > > The age of consent in Virginia is 18, with a close in age exception that allows teenagers aged 15 to 17 to engage in sexual acts but only with a partner younger than 18. An adult 18 or older having sex with a minor below 18 is a misdemeanor, while an adult having sex with a minor below 15 is a felony. Reading more of that article, there are certain acts which are perfectly legal among consenting adults, but not among consenting minors (e.g. if a couple of 16 year olds give each other blowjobs). In South Carolina, the 17 year old could get in trouble with his 16 year old girlfriend. Ditto South Dakota. I haven’t looked at any other states. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/191 "2012-07-30T18:52:04Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > Reading more of that article, there are certain acts which are perfectly legal among consenting adults, but not among consenting minors (e.g. if a couple of 16 year olds give each other blowjobs). So, under certain circumstances underaged kids could have PIV sex but blowjobs are straight out? What a well thought out law. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/192 "2012-07-30T19:00:07Z")
> [@Nicest\_of\_the\_Damned](#): > > I don’t think it is _necessarily_ a bad idea. He might be relieved to have it out in the open. And whatever he did, I am sure it wasn’t good but it might no be as bad as what you can imagine. He might _want_ an opportunity to explain himself. > > I remember reading on these boards several years ago about a guy who grabbed the arm of a 14 year old girl after she ran in front of his car and for that had to register as a sex offender. That always makes me wonder what the full story is when I hear someone is a registered sex offender. There had to have been more to it than that. I find that one VERY hard to believe. Don’t have a heart attack, **Rand Rover** , but for once I’m incomplete agreement with you. I MIGHT see letting him finish the job at the very least, if it were a small, one-day only thing, but that’s it. I’d probably give some bullshit about finding a relative who could do something cheaper or something. (And you know what a “liberal douche” I am!) 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/193 "2012-07-30T19:03:35Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > It was a Class B felony, which is worth 5-15 years today. However, the sentencing statute has been amended twice since 1990 so there’s no telling what it was back then. Missouri statute annotations don’t include deleted text. Did it state specifically that this case was a class B? Because reading the statute it states it could be either A or B depending on circumstances. ---
**Author:** ![perfectparanoia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a5b964/32.png) [@perfectparanoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/perfectparanoia)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/194 "2012-07-30T19:07:16Z")
I am sitting here with two kids of my own who currently has a contractor working on her home. He shows up on time, is good at his job and does it for a reasonable rate. He’s also a one-man show and seems to be pretty available. So, I put myself in the OP’s shoes by thinking what I would do if I found out he had committed this heinous crime 22 years ago. My knee-jerk reaction was to just say, ‘who gives a fuck?’ I thought that was a bit too fast a reaction so I thought about it some more. I am pretty sure that: 1. I would ask him about the particulars especially if he was on parole so I could talk to his parole officer. 2. I would certainly let him complete the two jobs in my home he was working on. 3. I would hire him for future projects. 22 years is a long time. 17 is a young age. Aside: the whole thread has me wondering if 6 was really a typo for 16 on the report. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/195 "2012-07-30T19:15:16Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > Other than that: let the guy finish his job. The tricky thing will be if he wants to use you as a reference: how do you handle a phone call from another prospective client: “Yeah - did great work on the flooring but, um, if you got any kids don’t hire him”. That’s about what you do: “Yes, he’s been a reliable worker and he does good work, but he does have a criminal record. Don’t put him on a jobsite near kids, and don’t put him in a situation where he might be tempted to do something he shouldn’t. I haven’t had a problem with him, that’s why I still hire him, but I do keep an eye on him when he’s doing work for me.” Then let the other person make their own decision. I used to work in construction. Ex-cons are not uncommon. Some of them were still very bad boys. Some of them really did seem to have mended their ways. The general contractor I worked for had a couple guys he’d hire for really unpleasant and/or hazardous work that he simply would not put on the same crew he had women on, or in situations where they might be alone with women or children. Other guys weren’t a problem, their problems were in the past and they could be relied on to behave. (He also had a client where, despite the guy having no criminal history at all, he wouldn’t send either one of his woman workers or a young man under 21 to the guy’s home to do work unless there was at least one other person along, usually himself. As someone else noted, not all the bad guys have been caught or have an official record.) ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/196 "2012-07-30T19:21:26Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > So, under certain circumstances underaged kids could have PIV sex but blowjobs are straight out? What a well thought out law. There are other examples of laws with rather bizarre outcomes. For example, [this case](http://www.theindychannel.com/news/1774089/detail.html), where a guy from Indianapolis was convicted of child exploitation and child pornography for taking nude pictures of a seventeen-year-old girl. Indiana’s age of consent is 16, so the guy could legally have had sex with the girl, but taking photos of her naked landed him a felony conviction. In another case, which we discussed [on this board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=365425), a 16-year-old girl was charged with child porn for taking pictures of two other girls, one of whom was 16 and the other 19. As i said in the thread, the age of consent in Rhode Island is also 16, so it would have been legal for these girls to indulge in a three-way carpet-munching dildo-fest, but it was illegal for them to take nude pictures of one another. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/197 "2012-07-30T19:23:10Z")
> [@perfectparanoia](#): > > I am sitting here with two kids of my own who currently has a contractor working on her home. He shows up on time, is good at his job and does it for a reasonable rate. > > He’s also a one-man show and seems to be pretty available. > > So, I put myself in the OP’s shoes by thinking what I would do if I found out he had committed this heinous crime 22 years ago. > > My knee-jerk reaction was to just say, ‘who gives a fuck?’ I thought that was a bit too fast a reaction so I thought about it some more. > > I am pretty sure that: > > 1. I would ask him about the particulars especially if he was on parole so I could talk to his parole officer. > 2. I would certainly let him complete the two jobs in my home he was working on. > 3. I would hire him for future projects. > > 22 years is a long time. 17 is a young age. > > Aside: the whole thread has me wondering if 6 was really a typo for 16 on the report. 6 would be more consistent with the statute. I would find another handyman. It’s my job to track kid touchers not to employ them. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/198 "2012-07-30T19:24:21Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > There are other examples of laws with rather bizarre outcomes. Yep, those are pretty bad too. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/199 "2012-07-30T19:54:13Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Did it state specifically that this case was a class B? Because reading the statute it states it could be either A or B depending on circumstances. No, it’s Class B or Class C - and automatically B if the victim is 14 or younger. > [@](#): > > 566.100. 1. A person commits the crime of sexual abuse if he subjects another person to sexual contact by the use of forcible compulsion. 2. Sexual abuse is a class C felony unless in the course thereof the actor inflicts serious physical injury or displays a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument in a threatening manner or subjects the victim to sexual contact with more than one person or the victim is less than fourteen years of age, in which case the crime is a class B felony. ---
**Author:** ![jerryp8472](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecae2f/32.png) [@jerryp8472](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jerryp8472)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2012, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/200 "2012-07-30T20:05:39Z")
Where would you have him work? Are sex offenders not entitled to make a living? Would you rather support them with the taxpayer dollar so they can sit at home instead of contributing to society? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724.md?page=11)