Those on sex offender registry may access internet

Oconee Sheriff’s Office hopes to clear the air about how the law applies to individuals on the sex offender registry. Deputy Kelly Winchester says sex offender registrants may have social media sites and access to the internet, as long as certain information is provided. Winchester serves as the sex offender registrar for the Sheriff’s Office. Offenders must provide their IP address, e-mail addresses, and screen names for their social media site pages. Penalties apply to those who do not provide the information. “If I am able to prove that an offender did not provide me with their IP address, their screen name, their e-mail or other false information, I can obtain a warrant charging them with Failure to Register since they are not in compliance with the registration requirements of state law,” says deputy Winchester. Offenders on probation may have internet and social media access, but they must sign a computer agreement with probation officials that allows probation officers access to their computers. Winchester also says an individual cannot single out another individual who is on the registry. An example would be someone prints a flier to hand out to neighbors singling out a registered offender. If it can be proved someone was singled out in that manner, that individual could be charged with harassment.