Judge Limits Release of Molesters’ Whereabouts
A federal judge Tuesday temporarily barred the Police Department from using the state’s Megan’s Law to give information to the news media about registered sex offenders.
U.S. District Judge Audrey B. Collins said the department can publicize information to schools, community organizations and neighbors.
But until she makes a final decision on the matter, which is due in court Dec. 4, the department cannot give out information to the media under the law, said the department’s attorney, Bruce Praet.
The ruling does not prevent reporters from getting much of the same information by using the state’s Public Records Act, Praet said.
Collins issued her temporary restraining order in a case involving a convicted rapist, Byron Miyamoto of Whittier, who contends that the department wants to reveal his sex-offender status in retaliation for a complaint he filed against police over another matter.
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