Teen sex offender returns to island
By RICK WOOD Staff Reporter
A registered sex offender (RSO) notification meeting that took place on Camano Island last Tuesday may seem like déjà vu for some local residents.
Dozens of Lost Lake Community residents attended a similar meeting in September 2007, when then 17-year-old Adam Bye was released from juvenile detention.
Bye, now 19, a level II RSO, recently served time for a nonsex related crime and is again living with family members in the 1500 block of Lake Drive. Bye's latest offense was for possession of a controlled substance.
Island County Sheriff Mark Brown said the notification meeting was prompted by his return to the community.
"He is not currently wanted for anything," said Brown.
Bye was given a level two status after he was convicted of indecent liberties stemming from an incident of sexual behavior with a 5-year-old Mount Vernon girl in 2003.
Level II offenders are considered a moderate risk to re-offend. Bye is required to register with the sheriff's office in the county of his residence for life, or until a court amends the requirement.
Although a state law does not mandate a community meeting to be held for the release of a level II offender, Brown said he feels it's his duty to present the information to the residents of Island County.
"I don't want to create the kind of environment that breeds vigilantism," he said.
Brown said his focus is in keeping the public informed.
"That's why I'm out here, folks," said Brown. "The public should be aware, and they should take precautions if necessary."
Brown again encouraged all county residents to sign up with the sheriff's office "E-lert" messaging email system.
"If I could get every citizen in Island County to do that, I would have a huge handle on communication with the public," he said.
Brown pointed out that, statistically, most of the perpetrators are not strangers.
"Most victims are known to the offender as friends or family," said Brown. "Be vigilant, not paranoid."
For more information on registered sex offenders in Island County, visit www.islandcounty. net/sheriff/Sexoffender. To sign up for the E-lert system, contact Chief Administrative Deputy Wylie Farr at wylief@co.island. wa.us.
