FYI from SPD: Level 3 sex offender moves to Puget Ridge area

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Just sent by Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner, another of the occasional notifications that a Level 3 sex offender has moved into a local neighborhood:

In an effort to keep you informed, and in our constant attempts to reduce future victimization, we want to let you know about one level 3 sex offender that has recently moved into a Southwest Precinct neighborhood.

Joaquin Garcia, a 38 year old Hispanic Male, is a level 3 registered sex offender who has recently moved to the 1800 Block of SW Dawson St. Mr. Garcia is currently under Department of Corrections supervision.

To learn more about this offender and for additional safety tips please visit the website at www.waspc.org and search by his name. [Editor’s note: Here’s a direct link to the page with his photo and background information.]

To register to receive an email alert whenever a published offender registers within one mile of your desired addresses, go to this website.

Level 3 sex offenders pose the highest risk to re-offend. It is normal to feel upset, angry and worried about a registered sex offender living in your community. The Community Notification Act of 1990 requires sex offenders to register in the community where they live. The law also allows local law enforcement to make the public aware about Level 2 and Level 3 offenders. Since these offenders have completed their sentences, they are free to live where they wish. Experts believe sex offenders are less likely to re-offend if they live and work in an environment free of harassment. Any actions taken against the listed sex offenders could result in arrest and prosecution as it is against the law to use this information in any way to threaten, intimidate or harass registered sex offenders. The SPD Sex offender detectives will check on these offenders every 3 months to verify our information.

The single most effective means of protecting your child is communication with your child. They have to feel comfortable discussing sensitive matters with you. Teach your children that they should not be asked to touch anyone in the bathing suit areas of their body or allow anyone to touch them in those areas. Teach them types of situations to avoid. It is not good enough to tell a child to avoid strangers. Please remember that children are most often molested by someone they or their parents know.

Concerned August 27, 2019 (2:56 pm)

I know the location provided is general, but this is so close the parks and schools. This is really concerning to me as a parent.

susan August 27, 2019 (3:07 pm)

This is very close to an elementary school and community walking path.

bmc August 27, 2019 (5:52 pm)

rape of a child – 1st degree in 1994, 3rd degree in 2004…..

CAM August 27, 2019 (6:52 pm)

I have no idea what the circumstances were but I would point out that based on his current age he would have been 13 years old in 1994.
- waikikigirl August 28, 2019 (12:33 pm)
  
  What the circumstance were/are and from your calculations him being only 13 years old at the time makes it OK? I hope that is not what you are thinking.
  - CAM August 28, 2019 (5:02 pm)
    
    I assume that we don’t live in a world where we all exist with only two binary options for defining ourselves and others or behavior. I have read neither probable cause document and I’m assuming you haven’t either. I’m not making any statement about the alleged offense at all and didn’t make any reference to culpability in my comment or excusing anything. If you don’t understand why this individual’s age at the time of the offense (or really conviction, because that often happens much later) matters than I would point you to statistics and research related to sex offenders and recidivism. I also don’t think a charge tells you much about a person’s level of risk at all because a wide swath of behavior can be subsumed under the same charge that would lead to vastly different levels of risk. So I question the reason for bringing up the charge other than for scare tactics. But that is beyond my original comment. Sincerely – a person with experience on the topic from multiple perspectives
    - Seattlite August 29, 2019 (11:51 am)
      
      Every parent and child should be afraid of pedophiles being moved into their areas. Children are precious and don’t need to have the burden of pedophiles lurking near their homes or schools. Pedophiles cannot overcome their criminal, heinous urges toward children. Hence, pedophiles should not be allowed to live near children.
- Akbar September 7, 2019 (7:27 am)
  
  And he was 23 when he did it again..

Lola August 28, 2019 (8:12 am)

I wonder how many in between 1994 and 2004 were never discovered? Scary that he is that close to more children now. Now we wait for the other shoe to drop?

John August 28, 2019 (1:20 pm)

I assume the writers of some of these comments have not read the story.They should have before making comments that could be taken as harassment,“Experts believe sex offenders are less likely to re-offend if they live and work in an environment free of harassment.-Any actions taken against the listed sex offenders could result in arrest and prosecution as it is against the law to use this information in any way to threaten, intimidate or harass registered sex offenders.”In our system, a person who has served their sentence is allowed to attempt a new life. What is wrong with that?
- Sonja August 28, 2019 (4:57 pm)
  
  What level are you John?
  - Seriously John? August 28, 2019 (11:29 pm)
    
    Haha! Love this Sonja. John, perhaps you failed to read it as well seeing as though it also states level 3s are highly likely to reoffend. I also love how you mention our “system” as if it’s actually working. Hilarious. This man is the harasser, not the locals who are trying to keep their kids safe. Get your facts straight before you post.
    - John August 29, 2019 (11:28 am)
      
      Sorry for your misunderstanding. I do not make any claim or implication that our system is working, other than the data that show most offenders are not the stereotypical predator that your comments represent. Rather, the facts show most sexual predators are family members and friends. Should they also be stigmatized and harassed after serving sentence? What would you do after someone has served their sentence?Yes Level 3s are at higher risk of re-offending, but that is different than acting like ALL Level 3s will re-offend and treating the ones who don’t like they do. What would be compassionate or Christian if you are a believer? My practice has been to stay close raising our daughter and treat all people: friends, relatives and strangers with an awareness of the facts and enjoying the process.

Bradley August 28, 2019 (1:38 pm)

I had an employee who went on one date with a level 2 offender (she didn’t know his history) and he tried to sexually assault her, showed up drunk at her job the next day, and texted her over 100 times. It was then that I checked the King County Sex Offender Registery and found him listed. The victim he served prison time for molesting was under age 12 while he was an adult. Level 3 offenders are far more likely to re-offend than level 2s.

John August 28, 2019 (3:50 pm)

Bradley shares quite a nightmare of a story.If it is true maybe Bradley will tell us what happened after Bradley reported the sexual assault and workplace harassment of his employee to the King County Sheriff Sex Offender Unit. And what the authorities did with the albeit late information and testimony of Bradley.

anonyme August 29, 2019 (7:39 am)

Like Cam, I have quite a lot of experience with these individuals. Levels are not determined by the severity of the sex crime (or crimes) alone; other criminal behavior is factored in. However, Level III’s are those who persistently deny and minimize culpability, blame the victims, and refuse treatment, which is what makes them so likely to pose a future threat. I can’t emphasize enough how manipulative they are, changing the narrative, painting themselves as the real victim, etc. I don’t see how what happened to Bradley’s employee has anything to do with what actions he did or did not take. Sounds like he was trying to help her, and the police would require her cooperation – not his.

john August 29, 2019 (9:51 am)

Sorry ANONYME mis-interpreted what I wrote. Of course, Bradley’s description in no way makes him culpable for what happened to his employee at his workplace! I am still hoping Bradley will reply to fill us in with the rest of the story. ANONYME is for some reason explaining, extrapolating and defending Bradley who is remaining silent. My skepticism grows.

Sorry, comment time is over.