Registered sex offender told to move because he lives too close to schools
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A registered sex offender has 30 days to find a new home after investigators determined he lives too close to schools.
District Attorney Ben David said today the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office was not sure if a pair of church schools near the Pine Valley Drive home of William Sean McHenry, 45, qualified as schools under state law and asked the DA’s Office for guidance. David said in the process of investigation, the Sheriff’s Office found a private school in the are that did qualify and caused a problem.
“We will give the best advice we can to law enforcement,” David said. “What I will not do, and what I cannot do is give advice to registered sex offenders.”
David did point out that New Hanover County is the smallest county in the state. He said its dense population means sex offenders must do their homework to make sure they are not violating the terms of their registration.
Sheriff’s Office spokesman Lt. Jerry Brewer said while McHenry has 30 days to move, he’s told investigators he should be out sooner than that. Brewer said McHenry told them he’s found a couple of possible new homes and is doing the research to make sure they are in compliance.
McHenry pleaded guilty to a sex crime involving a child back in January.
David said deputies found there are no other sex offenders living in the area.
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