Sex offender law causes confusion

HUNTINGTON, Ind.– Huntington County Sheriff Ken Farthing could find himself in trouble if he misinterpreted a sex offender residency law.\nLast August, Farthing sent letters to 18 sex offenders declared sexually violent predators or offenders against children and told them they couldn't live within 1,000 feet of a school, child-care center or public park.\nBut after speaking with his legal counsel, Farthing said the wording of the law does not make it clear if the law applies to offenders convicted before July 1, 2006. Other counties agree that the law isn't clear and aren't enforcing it until Indiana's courts or legislature makes that determination.\n"I'm the only one in this chain of events that's liable," Farthing said. "I'll be the first one to be sued over this."\nEleven offenders had already moved by late October, but Farthing then sent another letter to the remaining seven offenders saying that until the law has been defined more clearly, they have permission to remain at their addresses.\nMeanwhile, Huntington County Prosecutor Amy Richison received complaints from city of Huntington residents that the law wasn't being enforced, so she is trying to enforce it. She informed those who stayed put that they would have to move within 30 days, despite Farthing's second set of letters.\nRichison argues there's a difference between Farthing not enforcing the law and giving offenders written permission to stay.\nThe Indiana Sheriffs' Association has not taken an official stance on the sex offender residency law.