Name of Nonviolent Sex Offender Is Added to Publicly Available Roll

"As a parent," she added, "I am glad the registry exists."

After the man's case made headlines, prosecutors received calls from parents concerned that "John Doe" might be coaching their children, Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Sandra R. Sylvester said.

The whole rationale for the registry, she said, is to give the parents access to this information.

"Is it going to prevent someone from abusing a child? Probably not. But is it going to allow a parent to make a decision as to who is around their child? That is the purpose," she said. "We don't have a crystal ball. I can't tell you who is going to be at risk and who is not going to be a risk."

Offenders who are not classified as violent cannot be dismissed as any less of a threat, she added, because they use many of the same techniques: manipulation, enticement and deception.

"In some ways, they can be just as dangerous," Sylvester said.

The man pleaded guilty to incest, a misdemeanor, in February 1994. According to an arrest warrant at the time, his sister told police that for seven years she and her brother had engaged in a variety of sexual acts, including intercourse. The relationship started when she was in second grade and continued until she was 14 years old, according to the warrant. Her brother is four years older.

In April 1994, a judge sentenced him to 90 days in jail, with all of it suspended if he stayed out of trouble and got counseling. In March 1995, he fulfilled his obligations and was released from probation.

Although those convicted of incest were already required to register, it wasn't until this July that legislation was passed to make that information public online.