____ ____’s anger is understandable. In 1983, she was raped in Des Moines by ____ ____, who served less than five years in prison for the offense. In 1997, ____ was convicted of robbery and served an additional 17 years behind bars before being sent to the Fort Des Moines Community Corrections Center last month.
____ ‘s conviction on the rape charge predates Iowa’s 1995 creation of the state sex offender registry by almost 12 years. As such, he is not required to register with the state as a sex offender — a fact that doesn’t sit well with ____. Full Editorial
Well of course expanding the registry to make it retroactive is unworkable. What bothers me and should bother everyone else is which label is still being stuck onto this man. After 31 years this poor guy is still called a sex offender. He raped someone 31 years ago and yet 17 years ago he committed a robbery. Hmm….which label is more appropriate, not that he should have any negative labels attached to him.