Just days after the launch of a new website that lets the public know when paroled sex offenders remove their GPS tracking devices, it identified an Orange County parolee who is on the lam.
Joseph Michael Zeno, removed his tracking device last Friday — three days after the state set up the website.
Zeno was convicted of sexual battery, indecent exposure and other charges. While on parole, he apparently was living in Orange County as a transient, according to the state’s Megan’s Law website, which allows the public to see where convicted sex offenders reside.
The new system was made available to the public following an order from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger earlier this month.
According to the Los Angeles Times, as of July 1, California had 6,623 sex offenders on parole.
Housing for sex offenders has become a problem, particularly in north Orange County. Among the reasons for this, Voice of OC reported in April, is that there are fewer parks in communities north of the 55 Freeway, which makes it easier for sex offenders to live in North Orange County communities.
An Anaheim neighborhood went public with its opposition in April when two group homes for sex offenders opened within blocks of each other. One of the homes later was closed.