11-24-2014 Indiana:Johnson -v- Indiana
Michael E. Johnson (“Johnson”) was convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, as a Class C felony. He now appeals, contending that the State failed to adduce sufficient evidence to support his conviction; the State concedes a failure of proof as to Johnson’s duty to register.
Facts and Procedural History
On November 17, 1994, when he was eighteen years old, Johnson was convicted of Rape, as a Class B felony, for an offense he committed while he was seventeen years old.
On January 6, 2012, while investigating other matters, police attempted to make contact with Johnson at several addresses in Indianapolis. Among these was an address he had provided on a registration form in 2011. Police officers visited this location, but Johnson did not reside at that address. The occupant of the home did not know Johnson and was unable to provide police with any information as to Johnson’s whereabouts.
Police eventually located Johnson at another location. Johnson was arrested.
On January 10, 2012, Johnson was charged with two counts of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, as Class D felonies enhanced to Class C felonies as a result of prior convictions, and with one count of Failure of a Sex or Violent Offender to Possess Identification, as a Class A misdemeanor.
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Conclusion:
Accordingly, as Johnson’s brief notes, his age at the time he committed Rape is dispositive. Based upon the evidence submitted at trial, Johnson was not under any duty to register as a sex offender, and we accordingly reverse the judgment of the trial court and remand with instructions to vacate Johnson’s conviction in this matter.
Reversed and remanded.
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