By Nick Falsone | For lehighvalleylive.com | Posted March 06, 2019 at 07:00 AM | Updated March 06, 2019 at 07:17 AM
Megan’s Law ensures that the public is informed about where certain sex offenders live, and many of them live among us in the Lehigh Valley.
They’re required to register their addresses and with local police departments. This information – along with photos of the sex offenders, the crimes they committed and other details – are maintained by the Pennsylvania State Police in a database that’s available to anyone with internet access.
Punishment for not registering
But as with any law, people will break it.
It is a felony for a Megan’s Law offender not to properly register with authorities. Many have been charged over the years in the region.
What follows is a list of those with last known addresses in the Lehigh Valley who have failed to register. It is according to the state police’s database as of Tuesday, March 5.
They fall into two categories: Absconded, which means there’s an active warrant out for their arrest on a charge of violating the law, and non-compliant, which means they have failed to register but are not yet charged.
Why isn’t everyone on this list charged?
A state police spokesman previously explained that there are a number of reasons why a non-complaint sex offender may not immediately be charged. One example: he or she failed to register because of a medical issue. An investigation on the reason is conducted before the charge is filed, triggering a warrant.
WILLIAM CEPEDA APONTE — NON COMPLIANT
WILLIAM CEPEDA APONTE — NON COMPLIANT
Primary offense: Attempted kidnapping
Last known address: 724 Walnut St., Allentown
Last updated date of registration: Jan. 4, 2018
Additional information: Born in 1952, Aponte is described as 5 feet, 4 inches tall and weighing 165 pounds. He has brown hair and eyes. He has no known tattoos or scars.
VERNON HADDOCK — NON COMPLIANT
VERNON HADDOCK — NON COMPLIANT
Primary offense: Attempted sexual assault
Last known address: 14th and Turner streets, Allentown
Last updated date of registration: Oct. 23, 2018
Additional information: Born in 1960, Haddock is described as 5 feet, 7 inches tall and weighing 150 pounds. He has brown hair and eyes. He has no known tattoos or scars.
