Homeless sex offender living in Faribault Co.
Sarah Day — Sentinel Staff WriterBLUE EARTH - A Level 3 sex offender who moved to rural Elmore has neighbors concerned.
Ronald John Madsen, 49, moved into rural Elmore last week and is registered as homeless. In 2005, he was convicted in Martin County of using a minor in a sexual performance. He engaged in sexual contact with teenage males, provided alcohol and marijuana to them and was known to the victims. He received a probationary sentence, which was later revoked. Madsen then served 15 months in prison.
In 2006, he was convicted of possession of child pornography and he also received a probationary sentence. Madsen's probation again was revoked and he served a 13-month sentence.
In 2007, he was released as a Level 3 offender but was on supervised release. He had contact with vulnerable adults, a violation of his release, and was sent back to prison.
Madsen was re-released in December of 2007 and has not had any further infractions. Madsen has no conditions to follow for his release, except that he must register as a Level 3 sex offender for the rest of his life.
Level 3 predatory sex offenders are the highest risk to the public.
A public meeting was held Wednesday to notify the public of Madsen's relocation. Answering questions were Sheriff Mike Gormley, Chief Deputy Scott Adams, County Attorney Brian Roverud and Michele Murphy, community notification coordinator with the Department of Corrections.
Sex offenders are throughout the state, and every community has them, even though citizens may feel like their community has more than others, Murphy said. There are 43 sex offenders living in Faribault County, nine of whom are in Elmore. There are 64 in Martin County, 115 in Blue Earth County, 42 in Waseca County and 69 in Freeborn County.
There are 135 Level 3 offenders living in Minnesota communities. The rest of the 973 people assigned a Level 3 rating are either in halfway houses, prison, out of state, in a Human Services facility or deceased.
"Sex offenders have always been among us," Murphy said.
In 1997, citizens gained the legal right to know about the highest risk offenders living in their communities.
Murphy emphasized that 90 percent of offenders in criminal sexual cases knew their victims. The vast majority of victims are female and under age 18. The majority of those victims - 33 percent - are teenagers.
Murphy pointed out that past offenders are least likely to reoffend compared to people who have never broken a criminal sexual law. She urged people to be aware of their surroundings, be aware of who their children are talking to and any indication that something may be wrong. She suggested they look at information from the Minnesota chapter of Stop It Now!, which shows parents different signs that something may be happening to their child. The site is www.stopitnow.org/mn
People should call the police if they see anything suspicious with anyone - not just Madsen.
Madsen is registered as homeless, so his reporting requirements are different from other offenders. He is required to give 24-hour advance notice of moving to a new location, instead of the normal five days. Madsen must report to the Faribault County Sheriff's Office at least once a week, on Thursdays. If he fails to show up, Adams said, a warrant will be issued for his arrest.
He said Roverud and the sheriff's office are very prompt with sex offender registry violations. If an offender is out of compliance, they are arrested and charged promptly.
Madsen is living at Woods Lake Park near Elmore. One resident was concerned because she lives near there and has an autistic teenage son.
Another asked why Madsen would live there when he could rent an apartment elsewhere. The resident thought it would detract from the park.
"We can't control that," Adams said. "I agree with you there."
He said that an informational release was posted around the park, the caretaker is aware of the issue and residents also were notified.
Law enforcement has his vehicle information and cell phone number, but that information cannot be released to the public. Residents were concerned about vehicle information not being released. They felt it would be easier to spot Madsen if they knew his vehicle.
That information is protected, Murphy said, since released sex offenders have served their time and have the right to live a normal life following their release, providing they follow the law.
"The homelessness situation is something Faribault County hasn't had to deal with before," Adams said. "We know what he drives, we know his cell phone number. It makes it extremely tough for us to tell you that we know that and can't tell you that information."
Another asked if there was a way to restrict Madsen from coming near children.
Murphy said it is likely he will come in contact with children from those age brackets, but there is no residency restriction or contact restriction for him. She suggested attendants share the information from the meeting with their neighbors.
One resident said that having Madsen at Woods Lake Park was like having a fox in a chicken coop.
Another asked if they would be notified if Madsen moved away from the area. That isn't likely unless he moves to another area of the county; however, there are online resources - www.doc.state.mn.us - that show whether Madsen is still in rural Elmore. Murphy said if his name disappears from the list in that zip code, it either means he moved or is incarcerated.
Gormley asked anyone with questions to call his office.
Other useful resources related to predatory offenders include:
- The BCA at www.bca.state.mn.us/bca.asp
- U.S. Department of Justice at www.nsopr.gov
- Jacob Wetterling Resource Center at www.jwrc.org
- National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at www.missingkids.com
- Minnesota Internet Crimes Against Children at (651) 265-3882
- MDH Sexual Violence Prevention at www.health.state.mn.us/svprevent
- Office of Justice Programs, Crime Victim Services at www.ojp.state.mn.us
- Faribault County Victim Services Advocate at (507) 526-5275.
