Information found at http://offender.doc.state.wi.us/public/search/sor?action=offenderdetail&...

Registrant: THOMAS W PITTS
DOC ID#: 00345246
Alias(es): TOMMY W LEWIS
TOM PITTS

Gender: M
Race: WHITE
Age: 27

Attention: A Special Bulletin Notification was issued to local law enforcement on 10/01/2004 about this registrant’s release from prison.

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Description Detail

Height:
Weight:
Eye color:
Hair color:
6 FT 0 IN
198
BLUE
BLONDE

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Photos Click a photo to view a larger version for display or printing

Photo(s) Taken: 09/25/2006

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Offense Requiring Registration
Conviction date:
Conviction county:
Conviction state:
Criminal code:
12/16/1998
GRANT
WI
948.02(2): Second-Degree Sexual Assault of a Child

Sex Offender Registry Status
Custody/supervision:
Registration begin:
Registration end:
Compliance status: TERMINATED
12/16/1998
LIFE REGISTRATION
COMPLIANT
Note: Compliance indicates that an offender is meeting registration requirements with the Sex Offender Registry Program. When indicated, some or all offense information may be unavailable from the court of jurisdiction.

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Residence:
MEEKER COUNTY JAIL
326 RAMSEY AVE
LITCHFIELD, MN 55355
OUT OF STATE COUNTY Report Date: 02/27/2008
Verified Date: NOT VERIFIED

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Information Updates

Registrant responded to latest USPS mail contact: PENDING
Information on this page last updated: 02/28/2008

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Contacts: If this is an emergency, contact your local law enforcement agency. If you have concerns, corrections or questions about the registrant information on this page, please contact an appropriate authority listed below.

PROCESS FOR COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION

Community Notification occurs through a variety of means and at several levels. Provisions within the law require DOC to maintain a database of registered sex offenders. Information stored in the database is accessible on a limited basis by victims, neighborhood watch programs and the general public. All information available in the database is accessible by law enforcement via the CIB/TIME system, law enforcement web site, and through direct request to the DOC Sex Offender Registry Program. Additionally, DOC provides special notification to law enforcement about offenders that meet the criteria who are scheduled to be released from prison or a mental health institution. This notification is called Special Bulletin Notification.

SPECIAL BULLETIN NOTIFICATION

Special Bulletin Notification (SBN) is an active, written notification process whereby law enforcement officials, in the county and areas of the offender's residence, employment or school enrollment, will receive detailed information from the DOC SORP on a specific offender prior to his/her scheduled release from confinement.

Wisconsin law does not require special bulletin notifications for all offenders released from prison or a mental health facility. The overall purpose of the SBN is to highlight those cases that may pose a significant risk to the community. The SBN provides advanced notification to law enforcement officials, as well as information regarding the offender's offense pattern and specialized rules of supervision. In addition, the Bulletin serves as a mechanism to begin a local decision-making process to determine the level, scope and method of community notification, if determined necessary.

WHAT CASES REQUIRE OR WARRANT A SPECIAL BULLETIN?

The law mandates that an SBN shall be provided to law enforcement under the following cases:

All individuals committed under Chapter 980 (Sexually Violent Persons Law) who are to be placed into the community under supervised release or discharged from the commitment and
All cases where the offender has been convicted of a sex offense, as defined by crimes requiring registration, on two (2) or more separate occasions (2-Strike Cases). A previous conviction can include a conviction from another state that is comparable to one of the crimes requiring registration. Offenses/Dispositions that do NOT constitute a strike include:
Juvenile adjudications
Read-ins
Convictions that have been reversed, set aside, or vacated
The law does provide discretion to the Department of Corrections and Health and Family Services in determining if an SBN is warranted for those cases not requiring mandatory bulletins.

GENERAL PROCESS AND PROCEDURES

A year prior to the offender's scheduled release date from a DOC institution, the offender's criminal history is screened to see if the offender meets the statutory requirement of an SBN. Following determination the following staff will receive an advanced notice via memorandum:

Public Information Officer
Institution Warden or Superintendent
DOC Administrators
Community Corrections Regional Chief
Community Corrections Field Supervisor
Assigned Community Corrections Agent
Some of these cases will be undergoing a Special Purpose Evaluation (SPE) to determine if they meet the criteria for Civil Commitment under Chapter 980.

The advance notice will be distributed following criminal history verification that the case is a 2-strike case.

Approximately 2 months prior to the offender's scheduled release date and following the SPE determination, the above noted staff will receive a final notification memorandum from SORP indicating the Department's intentions to distribute a Special Bulletin Notification.

The DOC Division of Community Corrections (DCC) is responsible for preparing and distributing the SBN when an offender is released from prison to the community, to a detainer, or to confinement in a Department of Health and Family Services (DHFS) mental health institution pending Sexually Violent Person commitment proceedings. The assigned agent is to prepare a SBN Release plan to provide information necessary for construction of the SBN. The DHFS is responsible for preparing the SBN when an offender is released from a DHFS Institution.

Offenders referred for possible commitment under the Sexually Violent Person law will have two SBNs issued--one when transferred from prison to a DHFS institution and a second when the offender is released from a mental health institution.

Approximately 30 days prior to the offender's scheduled release date, DOC or DHFS will disseminate the SBN to law enforcement agencies in those areas where the offender will reside, work and/or attend school.

CONTENT OF THE SBN

The SBN contains the following information about the offender:

Physical description, including a photograph
Sexual Offense History
Brief description of sexual offenses
Release plan supervision rules
Offense Pattern Behavior(s)
LEVELS OF NOTIFICATION

Upon receipt of the SBN, law enforcement agencies in the jurisdiction(s) where the offender is to be released are responsible for determining, on a case-by-case basis, what level of community notification is to occur. The three levels of notification are as follows:

LEVEL 1: Limited to Law Enforcement
LEVEL 2: Targeted Notification - Including specific groups/facilities serving populations related to the offender's identified pattern of behavior. Such groups may include schools, neighbors, community groups, day care centers, parks, recreation areas, libraries etc.
LEVEL 3: Expanded Notification - Notification to the public in general. A variety of methods may be used including door-to-door notification, media releases, and/or community meetings.

The ultimate decision for determining what level of notification will occur is the responsibility of law enforcement. However, other agencies/groups, including DOC, may be involved in the decision-making process. In many communities law enforcement agencies utilize a Community Notification Core Team to assist in decision-making process.

COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION CORE TEAMS

The purpose of the Community Notification Core Team is summarized as follows:

To review and discuss case information relative to the specific sex offender who is the subject of the SBN
To provide recommendations to assist law enforcement in decision making relative to the level, scope and methods for notification specific to the offender and the community.
The law does not require the formation of the Core Team. When law enforcement agencies choose to utilize a team, it is the responsibility of law enforcement agencies within each county or jurisdiction to develop this team. However, DOC staff and others will assist in this process if requested.

The composition of these teams may vary from county to county across the state. However, it is recommended that, at a minimum, the team include representatives from the Sheriff's departments and police departments within the county, as well as representatives from local or regional DOC Community Corrections, including the supervising agent, field supervisor, and sex offender registration specialist.

Other team members may include representatives from the district attorney's office, crime victim/witness unit, school district, county human services, neighborhood watch captain, etc.

Decisions relative to community notification and release of information about SBN offenders are the responsibility of law enforcement agencies. DOC may assist in this process but may not participate in notification beyond the level determined by law enforcement agencies.

However, as part of the case management process, Community Corrections staff may share information about the offender with the offender's significant other, landlords, neighbors, employers, etc., if it is determined that providing the information is in the best interest of public safety and/or the offender's rehabilitation.

IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY

The law provides immunity from liability for public officials to provide the protection necessary to allow reasonable decision-making. Officials performing notification under the provisions of this law are immune from civil liability for any good faith act or omission regarding the release of information authorized under this law. Immunity does not extend to a person whose act or omission constitutes gross negligence or involves reckless, wanton, or intentional misconduct.

Sex Offender Registry Program: DOC SORP ADMINISTRATION
3099 E WASHINGTON AVENUE
MADISON WI 53704
(608)240-5830

Dear God,
We in meeker county cannot trust our sheriffs dept to keep our children protected. We all pray that you watch over them and keep them safe from preditors like this that our law enforcement allows free on our streets. We know you place obstacles in our paths and now it has opened our eyes to see the real truth here.Only you god and the caring people of meeker that will help protect them. Not our elected officals.

Well gee there is the solution. Let the offender be responsible!Come on what a cop out. Bail bond company keeps better track of offenders with lesser degree of crime offences! Law enforcement Should have been watching this guy all along considering his history.Never should thier eyes left his sight unless he is incarcerated.There is no excuse for this and thankgod there wasnt a "Dru Sjoden"case occur.I believe that would be the last straw for patence for us in this community.

Oh yes good thing he has been arrested I was not referring to this dept. alone I was referring to all law enforcement. And yes this county is getting a lot of heat and for a lot of good reasons but that is not the issue at hand.This offender should have been watched regaurdless, obviously he never should have been allowed freedom. I just dont understand how they would let someone of this degree loose without some sort of saftey precautions to make sure of where he was living before he got the oportunity to flee. Trusting one of this caliber to register himself is a ludicrus law!

I have just about had it with the ignorant, biased, hateful comments about law enforcement.
First the next time you see ANY officer say thank you. THANK YOU THANK YOU!
Now think about this. These officers faced a shotgun and a desperate on the run felon. I bet most people would have done one of three things. Crap their pants, freeze in terror or get themself or someone else shot. So kudos to them for handling this in a positive fashion.
Next as far as not notifying the community: He was not registered hence the need to arrest him and by announcing to the world he was here he gets a chance to run and endanger another community. Better to keep quite and watch for an oppertunity to take him where no one else would be in danger.

GREAT JOB.
AND THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to all officers who take a chance of not going home to their family someday. I can not tell you how much I appreciate what you do for us. And thanks to your families who keep the faith in you and face that with you every day.

I can understand your reasons as well. I too was in the same position as a child. This is law enforcements job to capture criminals thats why we pay them. If one wants to give thanks as an extra then by all means do so. As far as the others comments didnt Brent shut down the posts before for this kind of behavior? You or myself hasnt said anything untrue or out of line. Im sorry its been taken personaly none of my comments are directed to them in anyway.Its just my opinion.And by the way I do believe I agree'd with at least 3 good officers, so whats thier point here?

it's all of you rather than myself or randay91 being asinine ,hatefull , ignorant and biased. we were just expressing the truth, it also seems we are the only reallist commenting.Why is it if someone posts something that is thier opinion that others dont agree with they have the right (1st amendment dosnt apply here read user agreement) to bully, be abusive and degrade and tell you to move when one has already "served his country", owns thier homes and pay thier" tax's" on the very services we are legally "entitled" to, and get to "vote" for, and have an "opinion" about and is a legal citizen of the United States ?Once again this is a "democratic" country not a" policed one". "WORD". get educated before you spew your words of wisdom. For now I will consider all of those comments "moot".

1. I have never froze from fear nor will I ever
2. crapped myself since ive been tolit trained
3. gotten shot or have gotten any one shot but am a experianced sharp shooter
4. no I dont like the way things are ran here but thats Ok for now they are going to change shortley.And No I wont leave.
5. Kenya? apparentley your not worldley , in words you may understand"traveled on many occasions outside the U.S."

If the public would have been notified we as parents would have watched out more dilagentaly for the preditor, for our children, your children,grandchildren, the schools,local business's would have been on alert and so on, The Law enforcement isnt the "only ones" who protect us or our children its the "community as a whole". try giving the citizens some credit here law enforcement isnt the almighty saviors by themselves. That is very obvious! What would you have said if a child abduction did occur and no notice was given ? I bet you would sing a whole different tune! By no one knowing in no way helped stop him from harming anyone or for law enforcement to arrest him.

People put themselves at risk every day when they get into thier car and drive to work. many family's hope they arrive home safley after earning a hard days pay to support them. To them I say thank you ! To law enforcement I say pick up your check on payday. I owe you nothing more . Do all of you expect others who pay you to give thanks as well? I think we do everytime are tax's get raised!

The fact of the matter is; A notice was issued for"child preditor at large" by law the public should have been notified. for those interested in knowing how many preditors do live in your area go to "MEGAN"S LAW.COM" .

one should always be given the option to be involved or "pay attention" as you say. I dont believe you are giving your community members a fair shake here when it comes to thier ability to think for themselves. I thinks thats an insult to them.Many I believe would not"panic", why are underestimating thier ability's? That is not up to you to controll."No Point" I think our loved ones are point enough!We citizens live in Mn. I would expect "yes" we should have been notified. Wisc.and other states "should do the same within it's self". Im not saying for law enforcement to notify EVERY reported person although a "child preditor" is every parents concern! This is the problem. No one is saying in anyway that the law enforcement didnt do "thier job"in capturing this criminal.Citizens want the same respect as what those officers expect from us. I only posted "Megans Law' to be a good citizen and help with community education. So what gives with all of the negativity?

Thank you randay91 and I am sorry for what may have occured with your son lets hope if it did he will never remember! I dont think some of those negative posters have suffered and know the pain of something this vile occurring to them. I get tired of all the excuses of why law enforcment dosnt due things properly. It isnt thier choice of how the law works just to follow the rules but if it's too much paperwork well then they do what they want!TOO BAD!We all face thiings with in our jobs that call for things we maynot consider important but do them anyways.Because it our jobs, that's what they "pay" us for. Our law enforcement is "no different". I get tired of hearing "but they put thier life on the line" so, they chose to be in the proffesion they are in, knowing full well of the job description and pay.If all those are tired of hearing negative things about our law enfocement then stop electing and hiring unexceptale people.Stop letting them get away with these very types of things!And then praise them for doing thier jobs? I dont get it?Know wonder they do what they want,if they keep the citizen unaware , then who are we to know the difference and we are expected to trust them? Wake up! Pay attention! Our children are our most precious assets and if we as citizens let our law enforcement to become lax and run things as if it was "thier own business" then I dont forsee anything good occurring for our nation and our childrens futures.I mean look what is occurring in meeker right now! When the investigation is exposed and people find out why they(fbi) were summoned here in the first place and what they let us citizens know, just might, no it WILL make you all think twice about what you might of thought of law enforcement to begin with. Then we will all be back posting away in shock!Not you or myself. Why? because randay91 you and I are realist!Thank you for being a good citizen.

so nice to see you speak so positivly about your nieghbors.Can they depend upon you to be as caring?Remember "you" are thier nieghbor as well.Maybe thats a problem in your nieghborhood alone?I have lived in Los Angleles Ca, Oklahoma city Ok, Portland Or, &Indianapolis Ind.and in Mn for almost 23 yrs. I have traveled to many places in the world and I can tell you that many people I have had contact with would prove you wrong!To place so little confidence in man kind is unimaginable. Obviosly not all of man kind can be trusted or we wouldnt be haveing this discussion . Then dosnt it stand to reason we should be kind to our nieghbors,get to know them,thier,children and so forth.Watch out for each other?Instead of all the pettyness of your dog pottied on my lawn?I say yes then start printing those 3000 flyers the rest of us will have to depend on them because you claim your nieghbors could care less unless it is happening in your nieghborhood!Many different nieghborhoods make the very existance of our community. Not all citizens have access to on-line. I do know there is the library.

I agree. Generally speaking a shorter "leash" should be kept on registered sex offenders.
(I has to say that I am a Criminal Justice Student about to graduate is September and being one I have to say that it is true that Americans Crime Prevention programs are in need of serious overhauling, it is a known fact.) I wonder often why they do not make registerd sex offenders wear ankle bracelets so they do not loose track of them so often!! Think of the revenue this would bring in! It would not be a violation of the constitutioin either, as the criminal has already been convicted. It can be a form of condtion of release based on the offenders criminal act. I'm not talking petty offenders but rapists and child molesters, absolutly! Otherwise I think that chemical castration should be mandatory!

Sapperion, first I want toTHANK YOU for serving this country!!! We will stand watch here while you are protecting and serving during your deployment!!!!

I have the utmost respect for law enforcement and the jobs they do everyday to protect us!!! It is the dirtballs in the department that give others a bad name. Hopefully soon those scumbags will be gone and will be replaced with others who work with integrity!! I have a BA in Criminal Justice and understand how screwed up our judicial system is which is one reason that I have a real bad taste in my mouth for the judges in this county and the scumbags in the department.

I believe that our police department is doing the best they can with what they have and I have the utmost respect for them. I don't blame them for not alerting us to the fact that their was a sex offender on the loose. I blame the COUNTY Sheriff's Department as much as I blame the judicial system that released that offender. The Sherrif's Department is supposed to serve and protect the COUNTY and the judicial system needs to start thinking about protecting the communiites that they release these offenders into!!

With that being said, I would rather be warned about the missing sex offender than not know at all!!! Common sense tells me to explain to my kids about creeps like this and stranger danger anyway, but the knowledge that an offender was in the area would have been appreciated. Knowing that this creep was right next door really hit a nerve with me. Let's hope they lock him back up for many years!!!!