Most responsible county sheriff web sites which list sex offender registration information place a disclaimer similar to the following: "Any actions taken by you against any person on this list, including vandalism of property, verbal or written threats of harm or physical assault against an individual on this list, their family, or employer, may result in your arrest and prosecution. "
Yet, in less than 30 minutes, the following online news headlines and stories were found quite easily to demonstrate the extent to which vigilantism is taking place in this nation against a particular group of citizens, based purely on a crime they committed ( or were accused of committing) :
Vigilante violence has led to instances of stabbings, houses burned, even targeted killings by strangers who found names and addresses through online registries. Other registrants have been driven to suicide.
A Compilation of Deaths, Suicides & Murders of:
Former Sex Offenders, and/or Persons Accused (or Falsely Accused) of Sex Crimes
Clint and Alexis Jurek just bought their first house and got ready to move in with baby, Max. Then a post card came in the mail.
"All of our neighbors think that a sex offender lives at our address," says Alexis. "And not only that, but our house has been vandalized." Because of a clerical mistake, it appeared the offender still lived there.
Google News Headlines:
Wrong Place Vandalized, Torched; Meant For Registered Sex Offender
Vigilantes burn rapist out of second home
The Maine Senate has given initial approval to a bill making changes in the state's sex offender registry.
The changes address concerns raised after two men listed in the registry were murdered in 2006.
Vigilante’s Check Sex Offender List, Hit Wrong House
NY - Vigilantes Use Online Sex Offender Map to Burn Down Wrong House
Russia rallies around killer of 'pedophile'
No charges against activist who pulled guns on registered sex offender
Did Sex Offender Listing Lead To Murder?
Sex offenders will be named & shamed on web
Vigilantes: Coming soon to a community near you
Making Vigilantism Easier For The Masses
Vigilante Justice - Megan's Law listing may have led to Slaying
Vigilante Murder spurred by Megan’s Law?
Bring back vigilante justice! (for sex offenders)
SEX Offender vigilante justice!
Sex Offenders Killed by Vigilante
murder of washington sex offenders
Looking For Some Internet Fun? Now You Can Find Your Neighborhood Perv Online!
Vigilante Used Web to Find, Kill Sex Offenders
WA: admitted vigilante killer of sex offenders is arraigned
This April, a vigilante in Maine used a sex offender registry to track down and kill six convicted sex offenders.
tahuya news: vigilante beats sex offender
Megan's Murder: Once again Megan's Law has been used by a vigilante to locate and murder a convicted sex offender.
Apparent Vigilante Working Bellingham
Sex Offender Registries: Death Sentence
Police suspect sex offender targeted in arson attempt
Sex Offender News - Canadian suspect in slaying of sex offenders ...
Slayer of Sex Offenders Shoots Self Outside South Station
Vigilante action is illegal, yet most people have those reactions that border on rage when they find out someone is a sex offender
Sex Offenders Don't Deserve To Be Set Up For Murder
California's Sex Offender Database: Is Your Home at Threat Level Red?
vigilante justice jeopardizes the sex offender registry and the notification - Megan's Law
The Detroit News and Free Press are reporting that a burned and beheaded body found by a utility crew is that of a convicted sex offender.
One of the two Maine sex offenders killed by an apparent vigilante was listed in the state's online registry because of a 2002 conviction for having sex with a minor when he was 19
Maine Killings Raise Vigilantism Fears
vigilante mobs terrorising not just the convicted but also the alleged
having their photographs, names, home and/or work addresses posted on the Internet putting them at risk for vigilante justice?
more violence against sex offenders
The ACLU is asking Vermont to take down its online list of registered sex offenders, after vigilante Stephen Marshall tracked down and murdered two convicted sex offenders using a similar list
Seems some hicks near Knoxville found out they had a child-oriented sex-offender and decided to send him a message. Unfortunately, the message they sent him involved his wife dying in a fire.
Vigilante kills two, then himself
Sex offender asks for help from city officials, says he's target of vigilantes
It's easy to hate sex offenders
Killings of 2 Bellingham sex offenders may have been by vigilante, police say
murder of washington sex offenders
Death of Sex Offender Is Tied to Megan's Law - New York Times
Vigilantes Check Online Sex Offender List, Hit Wrong House
Vigilantism Against Sex Offenders Could Jeopardizes Community Safety Tools
Murder May Be Tied to Online Sex Offender List : NPR
Paedophile website raises vigilantism concerns
Law Times - Open sex-offender registry may spur vigilantes
Vigilantes take law into own hands
Teen Suspended for Sex Offender Warning (website, death, claim )
Maine killings raise questions about sex offender registries ...
USATODAY.com - Suspected shooter found sex offenders' homes on website
Murders Put Focus on Sex-Offender Registry Policies : NPR
Sex Offender's Body Burned, Beheaded
