Anonymous
Source: Santa Barbara Police Department
On the morning of June 22, 2021, Santa Barbara Police Detectives and the U.S. Marshal Service conducted a joint operation to conduct sex registrant compliance checks in the City.
Approximately 10 U.S. Deputy Marshals and 6 Santa Barbara Police Detectives conducted compliance checks on registered sex offenders. Examples of crimes that may require those convicted to register as sex offenders include, rape, lewd or lascivious acts against a juvenile, committing an unwanted sexual act by force or fear, and lewd conduct in public.
A total of 10 locations were checked within the City of Santa Barbara and one offender was arrested for failure to obey sex offender registration laws.
John Manuel Ortega Jr., a 49-year-old Santa Barbara resident, was taken into custody in the 2500 block of Parks Road. He was charged with 290 PC – Failure to Register and was booked in Santa Barbara County Jail.
- All sex offenders who have permanent residences are required to register every year within 5 days of their birthday.
- Those without a permanent residence must register every 30 days with their local law enforcement agency.
- Offenders moving to or from any jurisdiction have 5 business days to register with their respective law enforcement agency.
Megan’s Law was enacted in 1996 and mandates California Department of Justice to notify the public about specified registered sex offenders. All states in the U.S. have some form of Megan’s Law.
Megan’s Law Website was established so community members can better protect themselves and their families. This webpage has a mapping feature that allows the community to check locations and places where sex and arson registrants reside. https://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/
