Why, you may ask, would a child molestation case be highlighted in a blog that focuses primarily on homelessness? Because what we're seeing with this story is the beginning energy that initiates the spiral into not just homelessness, but most likely chronic homelessness.
These two young men may have done what amounts to an unforgivable crime in the eyes of many. If they are convicted, they will most likely receive at least some time, which, although difficult to overcome, doesn't close all the doors in society once they are able to return.
But the fact that this is a sexual offense changes the game. That it is a child molestation case changes it further and if you pay attention, you can hear just about every door that may have still been open to help an average convicted felon re-enter society slamming shut as a result.
These two young men will be required to register as high-level sex offenders, should they be ultimately convicted of the charges against them. As soon as their names enter that registry, they will immediately become stigmatized in ways many of us could never imagine.
This is not a defense of their situation, mind you, just an examination of the issues.
Once on the registry (see the national registry here; many states have their own local registries as well and Tennessee's can be found here), life as the offender once knew it is over for good. Obtaining housing becomes next to impossible and employment options dwindle to about nil as well. Agencies that provide services to many felons turn their backs on the sex offenders. Ditto for most family, friends, and former colleagues.
It doesn't take long for a sexual offender to find themselves broke, homeless and wandering our streets, hiding from vigilantes and his/her (women can molest as well) past.
Regardless of how you may feel about the sex offender's crime, a major problem arises as a direct result of this ostracism and shunning; how to keep tabs on someone who doesn't have a permanent address and has essentially disappeared from the public's view?
Living homeless is extremely expensive - for us, the taxpayers. A lot of numbers are out there describing the costs and as you might imagine, they'll fluctuate depending on what city you're reviewing, how long a person has been homeless, whether there are some additional factors involved (disabled, health conditions, etc) but it's generally agreed that the average chronically homeless person living on the street costs taxpayers about $40 grand a year.
That's a lot of money folks, and in and of itself this should be a reason we seriously work to find housing for everyone experiencing homelessness. Add in the risks of having a convicted sexual offender roaming free and unsupervised within our community and safety can be added to the cost rationale for ensuring sexual offenders have housing somewhere.
I'm not here to defend these alleged offenders. Rather, I'm merely pointing out that if we're hoping to begin mitigating the costs and damage that accompanies this kind of crime, we'd better consider all the ramifications and make sure we're able to deal with them in a holistic approach.
2 Murfreesboro men accused of statutory rape
Posted: Apr 11, 2011 4:07 PM CDT
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Two men in Murfreesboro are accused in the statutory rape of a 13-year-old boy.
Police told Nashville's News 2 the alleged sexual assault involved Jared Scott, 36, and Justin Mangrum, 22, and happened while the victim was performing in plays at the Center for the Arts last summer.
According to police, the two male suspects were employees at the non-profit organization located on College Street in Rutherford County.
"I think its shocking to investigators and the community as a whole," Murfreesboro Police Spokesman Kyle Evans said. "This is a place where children are supposed to be safe and learning the arts. Instead, they were taken advantage of by people who we trusted."
The teen told police he participated in sexual activities with both of the men at The Centers for The Arts and in the apartment the two men share at the Colony Apartments on Huntington Drive in Murfreesboro.
Investigators said the two men gave conflicting stories on what happened, but eventually Mangrum confessed to the encounters.
"We believe in the course of these sexual encounters, they were three party incidents," Evans said. "We believe they both had sex with the male juvenile at the same time."
Police also said they believe there are more victims in the community.
"We believe this happened before. We just have to find out who our victims are so we can put these guys away," Evans said. "We hope anyone who is a victim or parents who believe their child may be a victim, that they have a conversation with the children and give us a call if they still have those suspicions."
The arrests shocked neighbors of the two men at the Colony Apartments.
Martinez Malone is the father of an eight-year-old son. He told Nashville's News 2 his heart dropped when he heard about the arrests.
"I try to keep an eye on him, just to know that, like these children, how they are, like to roam around the buildings. That's just shocking," he said.
Roxanne Shirley picks her child up from the school bus at the apartment complex. She has four children.
"It is really disgusting," she said. "Because of that, you don't want your children to go out for sports, you don't want them to do any extracurricular activities, because you don't know who to trust."
Shirley said organizations need to do a better job of screening people who work with children.
"Before they go out for everything, I meet their coaches or teachers," she said. "I guess at some point, I have to trust their bosses are checking their backgrounds. "
Police said Scott was previously arrested for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Both men posted bond and were free as of Monday.
The suspects were booked into the Rutherford County jail and are scheduled to appear in court next month.
Phone calls and emails to the executive director of The Center For The Arts were not returned.
Police told Nashville's News 2 the alleged sexual assault involved Jared Scott, 36, and Justin Mangrum, 22, and happened while the victim was performing in plays at the Center for the Arts last summer.
According to police, the two male suspects were employees at the non-profit organization located on College Street in Rutherford County.
"I think its shocking to investigators and the community as a whole," Murfreesboro Police Spokesman Kyle Evans said. "This is a place where children are supposed to be safe and learning the arts. Instead, they were taken advantage of by people who we trusted."
The teen told police he participated in sexual activities with both of the men at The Centers for The Arts and in the apartment the two men share at the Colony Apartments on Huntington Drive in Murfreesboro.
Investigators said the two men gave conflicting stories on what happened, but eventually Mangrum confessed to the encounters.
"We believe in the course of these sexual encounters, they were three party incidents," Evans said. "We believe they both had sex with the male juvenile at the same time."
Police also said they believe there are more victims in the community.
"We believe this happened before. We just have to find out who our victims are so we can put these guys away," Evans said. "We hope anyone who is a victim or parents who believe their child may be a victim, that they have a conversation with the children and give us a call if they still have those suspicions."
The arrests shocked neighbors of the two men at the Colony Apartments.
Martinez Malone is the father of an eight-year-old son. He told Nashville's News 2 his heart dropped when he heard about the arrests.
"I try to keep an eye on him, just to know that, like these children, how they are, like to roam around the buildings. That's just shocking," he said.
Roxanne Shirley picks her child up from the school bus at the apartment complex. She has four children.
"It is really disgusting," she said. "Because of that, you don't want your children to go out for sports, you don't want them to do any extracurricular activities, because you don't know who to trust."
Shirley said organizations need to do a better job of screening people who work with children.
"Before they go out for everything, I meet their coaches or teachers," she said. "I guess at some point, I have to trust their bosses are checking their backgrounds. "
Police said Scott was previously arrested for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Both men posted bond and were free as of Monday.
The suspects were booked into the Rutherford County jail and are scheduled to appear in court next month.
Phone calls and emails to the executive director of The Center For The Arts were not returned.
