New sex offenders settle in South Kitsap

This month, South Kitsap earned the dubious honor of being the new home of three new Level 3 sex offenders.

Alvin J. Turner, Gabriel K. Waldbillig and Franklin D. Roe all registered this month with the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office, announcing their intention to live in Kitsap County. Although technically 67-year-old Roe is the only one of the three to actually have a home in Port Orchard — in the 1900 block of Lincoln Avenue — Turner and Waldbillig have both registered as transients.

Under state law, that means 20-year-old Waldbillig and 38-year-old Turner must present themselves in person at the Kitsap County Courthouse every week on Monday. Det. Lori Blankenship, who oversees the Sheriff’s Department’s sex offender program, said police keep a tighter rein on transients because otherwise the county would have no idea where to find them.

Level three sex offenders living in permanent residences get a visit from a deputy only twice a year — just to make sure they’re still there, Blankenship said.

The arrival of Roe brings South Kitsap’s grand total of official resident level three offenders up to five.

A third transient, 28-year-old Darby Potter, must also show up in Port Orchard every Monday along with Turner and Waldbillig.

John Michael Lowe, 58, lives in the 1100 block of Bay Street in Port Orchard. He has lived in Kitsap County since March 2001, although he is currently in custody in King County on a warrant.

John M. Obert, 44, lives in the 14000 block of Bandix Road in Olalla. He has lived in Kitsap County since May 2002.

James Edward Townson, 60, lives in the 13000 block of Memory Lane near Glenwood.

He has lived in Kitsap County since November 2001.

Donald A. Hendrickson, 54, lives in the 12900 block of Shady Glen Avenue in Olalla. He has lived in Kitsap County since May 1999.

In comparison, there are four registered level three sex offenders living in Bremerton and only two living in the Poulsbo area.

Level three sex offenders are typically ex-convicts convicted of sex offenses who either refused to participate in sex offender treatment while in prison or who don’t appear to have made any progress in the program.

They are classified as being at a “high risk” to re-offend.

All five of South Kitsap’s level-three offenders and the three registered transients were convicted for preying on children — one as young as three.

All eight men were convicted of some form of child molestation and/or child rape and most had multiple victims. Most attacked children they knew — siblings, girlfriends’ children or babysitting charges.

The Sheriff’s Office, in accordance with U.S. law, releases information on level three sex offenders in order to lessen the chances convicted sex offenders have to attack again. Concerned residents are asked to simply be more aware of their surroundings and be careful of who their children associate with.

Any questions should be directed to Det. Lori Blankenship: 337-5615.

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