Timothy W. Collins, who admitted last October that he contacted a minor in April 2012 for sex-related reasons, is not a sexually violent predator but still will be subject to Megan's Law sanctions, a Schuylkill County judge ruled Tuesday.
Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin decided Collins, 23, of Frackville, is not a sexually violent predator, which is in accordance with the recommendation of the state Sexual Offenders Assessment Board.
However, he decided that due to the nature of his crime, Collins still will be subject to Megan's Law sanctions for 25 years.
Collins, formerly of Barnesville, pleaded guilty on Oct. 16, 2013, to unlawful contact with a minor. At that time, Dolbin sentenced Collins to serve six to 23 months in prison, pay costs and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, have no contact with his victim and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.
Prosecutors withdrew a charge of corruption of minors.
State police at Frackville charged Collins with contacting a minor on April 14, 2012, for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity.
The Megan's Law sanctions to which Collins will be subject include requirements that he report his address, employment and educational statuses, and any change in them, to state police for 25 years after he leaves prison. Any failure to comply with those sanctions is a crime in itself and could result in further prosecution.
Megan's Law was enacted in Pennsylvania, numerous other states and at the federal level following the 1994 murder of Megan Nicole Kanka, 7, of Hamilton Township, Mercer County, N.J., Jesse Timmendequas, Kanka's killer, was a convicted sex offender and one of the girl's neighbors.
He is serving a life sentence following then-New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine's commutation of his death sentence after that state abolished its death penalty.