High-risk sex offenders in Seattle found to live near University of Washington campus

13 registered sex offenders who pose a high degree of danger to the public and are considered high risk to re-offend have been revealed to live on the same block where multiple crimes were committed at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Police are looking for a man accused of breaking into a sorority house near campus on Sunday morning and assaulting a student. According to KOMO News, the suspect “got into the house and made his way to the bedroom of one of the students, who woke up to find him shirtless and kneeling over her bed. The student's father told KOMO News earlier this week the man allegedly pointed a gun at her, touched her inappropriately and ran off.”



There are ten level 3 sex offenders, the most likely to re-offend, and three level 2 offenders on the same block where Sunday's assault occurred. Currently, there is no known connection between the known sex offenders and the assault.

Sex offenders live in many neighborhoods across the country and are required to follow the guidelines of their release and must register as a sex offender. According to KOMO News, the “King County Sheriff's Office does verifications for registered sex offenders regularly. For level three's, they make site visits four times a year, twice for level two.”

The outlet added, “the county has a system for homeless sex offenders they register weekly in person.”

One block over is a homeless shelter in a converted fraternity house. There are other shelters and halfway houses nearby.

The attack came a week after four students were shot outside an area nightclub following an argument.

The attack was also days after Charles Becker was arrested for the murder of 56-year-old Mavis Kindness Nelson, and allegedly abused the body for a month, mutilated it, then dumped it on a wooded area of school-owned property in June.

To address the uptick in crime near campus, Seattle police have launched what is called "emphasis" patrols in the neighborhood.

The University of Washington told KOMO News, “Under state law, sex offenders who are meeting the terms of their parole or release may reside where they choose, as long as they register. The University of Washington is aware that there are registered sex offenders living in the areas around the Seattle campus, and we understand this can cause concern in the community. The UW has no jurisdiction or ability to limit their proximity to campus. Anyone perceiving a threat or in an emergency should call 911 immediately. More information about sex offender registration in King County can be found here: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/sheriff/sex-offender-search.aspx”