News-Democrat
A homeless man is now calling the St. Clair County Jail home for failing to report a change of address as a sex offender.
Rufus Brown, 28, no known address, was arrested Sept. 4 by East St. Louis Police for a probation violation for failing to report a change of address as a sex offender.
He was charged with two counts of felony failure to notify a change of address Sept. 10 by the St. Clair County State's Attorney.
Keeping track of homeless sex offenders is a challenge for the sheriff's department, said St. Clair County Sheriff's Department Chief Investigator Capt. Steve Johnson.
"It's difficult," he said. "We have several of them out there. By law, they have to come in at least every seven days and register with us."
Brown was supposed to be living at his last registered address at 1115 St. Bartholomew in Cahokia, Johnson said. Since his 2000 conviction of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, Brown is required to remain registered with the county and must notify them of every address change.
His bail was set at $25,000 for the two charges. His total bond is $76,000, which includes the probation violation and an outstanding traffic warrant.
Brown remains in custody in the St. Clair County Jail.
