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Sex Offenders Should Be Banned From Internet, Murphy Says

State Sen. Terrance Murphy is fed up with hearing about sexual offenders being arrested every week in one town after another across the area. That's why he is calling for upgrades to Megan's Law to help protect children.

Registered sex offenders Isaac Esau Jara and David Ohnmacht.

Registered sex offenders Isaac Esau Jara and David Ohnmacht.

Photo Credit: File

The senator, whose district covers Westchester and the Hudson Valley, is calling for the changes in response to the  arrest Tuesday of Issac Eseau Jara of Ossining, a 29-year-old level 2 sex offender, on a federal charge of possession of child pornography.

"This marks the second week in a row that a dangerous sex offender has been busted for using the internet to prey on new victims," Murphy said.

Last week, he said, it was David Ohnmacht, a level 3 offender living in Katonah, who was arrested for allegedly convincing a 14-year-old North Carolina girl to send him sexually explicit videos and photos. Ohnmacht's acts came in the same month parole supervision ended which included a prohibition on internet use.

"Our children are being victimized by convicted sex offenders and we must do something about it," Murphy said. "Megan's Law was created 20 years ago but there are many aspects of our society that has changed. Everyday we wait to update Megan's Law we are putting another child at risk. As a father, that is simply unacceptable."

Megan's Law, which requires law enforcement authorities to make information available to the public regarding registered sex offenders, is named after seven-year-old Megan Kanka who was raped and murdered in 1986 by her neighbor.

Murphy has proposed legislation that would prohibit convicted level 2 and 3 sex offenders from using the internet for life rather than as a condition of parole. FBI officials have already acknowledged that predators have more access in the digital age than ever before.

Law enforcement leaders across the area agree with Murphy: "We have zero tolerance for sex offenders in Dutchess County. We will not stand for any predators threatening the lives of our children and families. We have a special sex offender squad to deal with this issue. I stand with Senator Murphy on this subject - we need to keep registered sex offenders in check," said Dutchess County Sheriff Adrian "Butch" Anderson.

Murphy's legislation is awaiting approval from the Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Correction. 

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