Madison Sex Offender Was Living 'Off The Grid': Judge

MADISON, WI — A Madison man was sentenced to nine months in federal prison after he was convicted of failing to register as a sex offender, U.S. Attorney Timothy O’Shea announced Wednesday.

Jesse A. McCarty, 55, pleaded guilty in July to violating the Sex Offender Notification and Registration Act (SORNA).

At the sentencing hearing, Judge William Conley noted that this was McCarty’s second conviction for failing to register and stated that there was no excuse to justify his non-compliance.

According to Conley, McCarty had been living "off the grid" without giving those around him the required notice.

SORNA provides a comprehensive set of minimum standards for sex offender registration and notification in the United States.

It aims to close potential gaps and loopholes that existed under prior law and generally strengthens the nationwide network of sex offender registration and notification programs. In particular, SORNA requires registered sex offenders to register and keep their registration current in each jurisdiction in which they reside, work, or go to school.

In November 2007, McCarty was convicted of sex offenses in Tennessee state court, and in June 2018, was convicted for failing to register as a sex offender in the same state.

McCarty then absconded from Tennessee probation and moved to Wisconsin, but also failed to register as a sex offender here, authorities said.

The charge against McCarty was the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anita Marie Boor prosecuted this case.