Troy Lee Smith, III – Repeat Sex Offender – Loses control at the park

“It wasn’t like the child was left alone,” he said.
“This child had his parents there.”

A registered sex offender who police say attacked a 4-year-old boy and then undressed in front of the boy’s shocked parents is in the Arlington Jail and could be returned to prison.

Troy Lee Smith III, 41, of Arlington was arrested on a charge of indecency with a child by contact, possession of a controlled substance and traffic warrants.

Mr. Smith was taken to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth for a medical evaluation and then transferred to the Arlington Jail, where he is being held on a $15,000 bond.

Police said Mr. Smith grabbed the boy in the groin area about 6:45 p.m. Wednesday while the child was playing catch with his father at Vandergriff Park.

“The father came to the rescue of the child, knocked the suspect down, getting the child away from him,” said Lt. Blake Miller, a spokesman for Arlington police. “The parents were within arms distance of the child when he was grabbed.”

Mr. Smith then disrobed, stood naked in the park and challenged the boy and his father to a fight, Lt. Miller said.

When police arrived, Mr. Smith refused to obey their verbal commands and officers shocked him with a Taser and took him into custody.

In 2006, Mr. Smith was sentenced in Travis County to six months in prison following his conviction of attempted indecency with a child by sexual contact. He completed his sentence in 2006. He moved to Arlington and registered with the city as a sex offender, as he is required to do through 2016.

Mr. Smith was also in compliance with two spot checks conducted this year by detectives, Lt. Miller said. However, he was not on parole and did not face any other restrictions.

News of Mr. Smith’s behavior and arrest raised concern Thursday around the Arlington neighborhood near Vandergriff Park. The park, which features baseball fields, a pool, tennis courts and picnic areas, is one of the city’s most popular spots for families.

“I can’t believe anybody would do anything like that with the parents there,” said Holly Wyant, 38, of Arlington. “The guy is a sex offender, so he should not be allowed at the park.”

She is vowing to keep a closer watch on her three young children who visited Vandergriff Park on Thursday because they like the swimming pool.

“Kids are trapped inside these days because you have to protect them from all the people out there who are unsafe,” Ms. Wyant said.

City Council member Robert Rivera’s District 3 seat includes the park, as well as the 76014 ZIP code where Mr. Smith lives. The ZIP code is home to 38 registered sex offenders.

Mr. Smith’s home on Shenandoah Drive is less than a mile from four elementary schools, but officials said his residence did not violate any restrictions about where sex offenders can live.

Nevertheless Mr. Rivera, who grew up near Vandergriff Park and often played there as a youngster, said that he would ask the city’s legal staff to review the ordinances regarding registered sex offenders and the places they can visit.

“We need to ensure the safety of everyone in Arlington,” Mr. Rivera said, adding that he was shocked when he learned of Wednesday’s brazen assault. “This situation is unfortunate.

“It wasn’t like the child was left alone,” he said. “This child had his parents there.”

“25% of all sex offenders re-offend within 15 years”

………Sarah Tofte

Troy Lee Smith, III – Repeat Sex Offender – Loses control at the park

“It wasn’t like the child was left alone,” he said.
“This child had his parents there.”

A registered sex offender who police say attacked a 4-year-old boy and then undressed in front of the boy’s shocked parents is in the Arlington Jail and could be returned to prison.

Troy Lee Smith III, 41, of Arlington was arrested on a charge of indecency with a child by contact, possession of a controlled substance and traffic warrants.

Mr. Smith was taken to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth for a medical evaluation and then transferred to the Arlington Jail, where he is being held on a $15,000 bond.

Police said Mr. Smith grabbed the boy in the groin area about 6:45 p.m. Wednesday while the child was playing catch with his father at Vandergriff Park.

“The father came to the rescue of the child, knocked the suspect down, getting the child away from him,” said Lt. Blake Miller, a spokesman for Arlington police. “The parents were within arms distance of the child when he was grabbed.”

Mr. Smith then disrobed, stood naked in the park and challenged the boy and his father to a fight, Lt. Miller said.

When police arrived, Mr. Smith refused to obey their verbal commands and officers shocked him with a Taser and took him into custody.

In 2006, Mr. Smith was sentenced in Travis County to six months in prison following his conviction of attempted indecency with a child by sexual contact. He completed his sentence in 2006. He moved to Arlington and registered with the city as a sex offender, as he is required to do through 2016.

Mr. Smith was also in compliance with two spot checks conducted this year by detectives, Lt. Miller said. However, he was not on parole and did not face any other restrictions.

News of Mr. Smith’s behavior and arrest raised concern Thursday around the Arlington neighborhood near Vandergriff Park. The park, which features baseball fields, a pool, tennis courts and picnic areas, is one of the city’s most popular spots for families.

“I can’t believe anybody would do anything like that with the parents there,” said Holly Wyant, 38, of Arlington. “The guy is a sex offender, so he should not be allowed at the park.”

She is vowing to keep a closer watch on her three young children who visited Vandergriff Park on Thursday because they like the swimming pool.

“Kids are trapped inside these days because you have to protect them from all the people out there who are unsafe,” Ms. Wyant said.

City Council member Robert Rivera’s District 3 seat includes the park, as well as the 76014 ZIP code where Mr. Smith lives. The ZIP code is home to 38 registered sex offenders.

Mr. Smith’s home on Shenandoah Drive is less than a mile from four elementary schools, but officials said his residence did not violate any restrictions about where sex offenders can live.

Nevertheless Mr. Rivera, who grew up near Vandergriff Park and often played there as a youngster, said that he would ask the city’s legal staff to review the ordinances regarding registered sex offenders and the places they can visit.

“We need to ensure the safety of everyone in Arlington,” Mr. Rivera said, adding that he was shocked when he learned of Wednesday’s brazen assault. “This situation is unfortunate.

“It wasn’t like the child was left alone,” he said. “This child had his parents there.”

“25% of all sex offenders re-offend within 15 years”

………Sarah Tofte

Troy Lee Smith, III – Repeat Sex Offender – Loses control at the park

“It wasn’t like the child was left alone,” he said.
“This child had his parents there.”

A registered sex offender who police say attacked a 4-year-old boy and then undressed in front of the boy’s shocked parents is in the Arlington Jail and could be returned to prison.

Troy Lee Smith III, 41, of Arlington was arrested on a charge of indecency with a child by contact, possession of a controlled substance and traffic warrants.

Mr. Smith was taken to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth for a medical evaluation and then transferred to the Arlington Jail, where he is being held on a $15,000 bond.

Police said Mr. Smith grabbed the boy in the groin area about 6:45 p.m. Wednesday while the child was playing catch with his father at Vandergriff Park.

“The father came to the rescue of the child, knocked the suspect down, getting the child away from him,” said Lt. Blake Miller, a spokesman for Arlington police. “The parents were within arms distance of the child when he was grabbed.”

Mr. Smith then disrobed, stood naked in the park and challenged the boy and his father to a fight, Lt. Miller said.

When police arrived, Mr. Smith refused to obey their verbal commands and officers shocked him with a Taser and took him into custody.

In 2006, Mr. Smith was sentenced in Travis County to six months in prison following his conviction of attempted indecency with a child by sexual contact. He completed his sentence in 2006. He moved to Arlington and registered with the city as a sex offender, as he is required to do through 2016.

Mr. Smith was also in compliance with two spot checks conducted this year by detectives, Lt. Miller said. However, he was not on parole and did not face any other restrictions.

News of Mr. Smith’s behavior and arrest raised concern Thursday around the Arlington neighborhood near Vandergriff Park. The park, which features baseball fields, a pool, tennis courts and picnic areas, is one of the city’s most popular spots for families.

“I can’t believe anybody would do anything like that with the parents there,” said Holly Wyant, 38, of Arlington. “The guy is a sex offender, so he should not be allowed at the park.”

She is vowing to keep a closer watch on her three young children who visited Vandergriff Park on Thursday because they like the swimming pool.

“Kids are trapped inside these days because you have to protect them from all the people out there who are unsafe,” Ms. Wyant said.

City Council member Robert Rivera’s District 3 seat includes the park, as well as the 76014 ZIP code where Mr. Smith lives. The ZIP code is home to 38 registered sex offenders.

Mr. Smith’s home on Shenandoah Drive is less than a mile from four elementary schools, but officials said his residence did not violate any restrictions about where sex offenders can live.

Nevertheless Mr. Rivera, who grew up near Vandergriff Park and often played there as a youngster, said that he would ask the city’s legal staff to review the ordinances regarding registered sex offenders and the places they can visit.

“We need to ensure the safety of everyone in Arlington,” Mr. Rivera said, adding that he was shocked when he learned of Wednesday’s brazen assault. “This situation is unfortunate.

“It wasn’t like the child was left alone,” he said. “This child had his parents there.”

“25% of all sex offenders re-offend within 15 years”

………Sarah Tofte

Darius Gonzales – Repeat Sex Offender – Blows his Second Chance

Gonzales asked the court for “mercy and compassion”

“I do realize that I do deserve some time in prison.
I look forward to putting this all behind me someday”

Public Defender Ruth Wheeler,
noted Gonzales stayed out of legal trouble for 10 years
before the two attacks that occurred on the same day.

An unregistered sex offender accused of raping one woman at gunpoint and attempting to kidnap another hours earlier was sentenced to serve 18 years in prison last week after pleading guilty to the crimes.

Farmington resident Darius Gonzales, 28, was given the maximum sentence by District Judge John Dean.

Gonzales pleaded guilty to second-degree kidnapping, third-degree criminal sexual penetration, third-degree assault with intent to commit a violent felony, possession of a firearm by a felon and failure to register as a sex offender.

Gonzales also admitted to prior felony convictions, including two counts of rape, aggravated burglary, residential burglary and intimidation of a witness, which all took place in 1997.

“I normally look at life from the point that people make mistakes and go on,” the judge said while sentencing the man. “When you make the same mistakes twice, I think the rules change … You get your chances and then you blow them.”

According to police, Gonzales attempted to lure into his van a woman exiting the East Main Street Wal-Mart around 3:45 a.m. Oct. 24, threatening that he had a gun.

After refusing to get in the van, that victim was able to escape and report the incident to Wal-Mart security.

“He advised he knew she was scared and was going to take her in the van but did not know where he was going to take her and what he was going to do with her,” arrest documents state.

Less than eight hours later, Gonzales raped a different woman in a Culpepper Lane home where he did housework.

The victim said she was lured to the house with drugs. Gonzales later pulled a handgun, duct-taped her hands, eyes and mouth, and raped her, the woman told police.

Gonzales admitted the crimes, but denied having a gun in either attack. Police found a gun in his possession when he was arrested later that day.

“We were happy with (the sentence) because he’s kind of a scary guy, just based on his behavior,” Deputy District Attorney Lisa Kuykendall said. The District Attorney’s Office requested the maximum sentence in the case.

Gonzales asked the court for “mercy and compassion,” before being sentenced.

“I do realize that I do deserve some time in prison. I look forward to putting this all behind me someday and becoming a productive member of society,” Gonzales said.

Public Defender Ruth Wheeler, representing the man, noted Gonzales stayed out of legal trouble for 10 years before the two attacks that occurred on the same day. Wheeler requested the man be sentenced to nine years in prison and a closely monitored probation to determine whether he is capable of improving himself.

Wheeler did not return calls for comment.

Prior to the plea, the case was scheduled to have two separate jury trials set to begin Thursday.

“25% of all sex offenders re-offend within 15 years”

………Sarah Tofte

Darius Gonzales – Repeat Sex Offender – Blows his Second Chance

Gonzales asked the court for “mercy and compassion”

“I do realize that I do deserve some time in prison.
I look forward to putting this all behind me someday”

Public Defender Ruth Wheeler,
noted Gonzales stayed out of legal trouble for 10 years
before the two attacks that occurred on the same day.

An unregistered sex offender accused of raping one woman at gunpoint and attempting to kidnap another hours earlier was sentenced to serve 18 years in prison last week after pleading guilty to the crimes.

Farmington resident Darius Gonzales, 28, was given the maximum sentence by District Judge John Dean.

Gonzales pleaded guilty to second-degree kidnapping, third-degree criminal sexual penetration, third-degree assault with intent to commit a violent felony, possession of a firearm by a felon and failure to register as a sex offender.

Gonzales also admitted to prior felony convictions, including two counts of rape, aggravated burglary, residential burglary and intimidation of a witness, which all took place in 1997.

“I normally look at life from the point that people make mistakes and go on,” the judge said while sentencing the man. “When you make the same mistakes twice, I think the rules change … You get your chances and then you blow them.”

According to police, Gonzales attempted to lure into his van a woman exiting the East Main Street Wal-Mart around 3:45 a.m. Oct. 24, threatening that he had a gun.

After refusing to get in the van, that victim was able to escape and report the incident to Wal-Mart security.

“He advised he knew she was scared and was going to take her in the van but did not know where he was going to take her and what he was going to do with her,” arrest documents state.

Less than eight hours later, Gonzales raped a different woman in a Culpepper Lane home where he did housework.

The victim said she was lured to the house with drugs. Gonzales later pulled a handgun, duct-taped her hands, eyes and mouth, and raped her, the woman told police.

Gonzales admitted the crimes, but denied having a gun in either attack. Police found a gun in his possession when he was arrested later that day.

“We were happy with (the sentence) because he’s kind of a scary guy, just based on his behavior,” Deputy District Attorney Lisa Kuykendall said. The District Attorney’s Office requested the maximum sentence in the case.

Gonzales asked the court for “mercy and compassion,” before being sentenced.

“I do realize that I do deserve some time in prison. I look forward to putting this all behind me someday and becoming a productive member of society,” Gonzales said.

Public Defender Ruth Wheeler, representing the man, noted Gonzales stayed out of legal trouble for 10 years before the two attacks that occurred on the same day. Wheeler requested the man be sentenced to nine years in prison and a closely monitored probation to determine whether he is capable of improving himself.

Wheeler did not return calls for comment.

Prior to the plea, the case was scheduled to have two separate jury trials set to begin Thursday.

“25% of all sex offenders re-offend within 15 years”

………Sarah Tofte

Darius Gonzales – Repeat Sex Offender – Blows his Second Chance

Gonzales asked the court for “mercy and compassion”

“I do realize that I do deserve some time in prison.
I look forward to putting this all behind me someday”

Public Defender Ruth Wheeler,
noted Gonzales stayed out of legal trouble for 10 years
before the two attacks that occurred on the same day.

An unregistered sex offender accused of raping one woman at gunpoint and attempting to kidnap another hours earlier was sentenced to serve 18 years in prison last week after pleading guilty to the crimes.

Farmington resident Darius Gonzales, 28, was given the maximum sentence by District Judge John Dean.

Gonzales pleaded guilty to second-degree kidnapping, third-degree criminal sexual penetration, third-degree assault with intent to commit a violent felony, possession of a firearm by a felon and failure to register as a sex offender.

Gonzales also admitted to prior felony convictions, including two counts of rape, aggravated burglary, residential burglary and intimidation of a witness, which all took place in 1997.

“I normally look at life from the point that people make mistakes and go on,” the judge said while sentencing the man. “When you make the same mistakes twice, I think the rules change … You get your chances and then you blow them.”

According to police, Gonzales attempted to lure into his van a woman exiting the East Main Street Wal-Mart around 3:45 a.m. Oct. 24, threatening that he had a gun.

After refusing to get in the van, that victim was able to escape and report the incident to Wal-Mart security.

“He advised he knew she was scared and was going to take her in the van but did not know where he was going to take her and what he was going to do with her,” arrest documents state.

Less than eight hours later, Gonzales raped a different woman in a Culpepper Lane home where he did housework.

The victim said she was lured to the house with drugs. Gonzales later pulled a handgun, duct-taped her hands, eyes and mouth, and raped her, the woman told police.

Gonzales admitted the crimes, but denied having a gun in either attack. Police found a gun in his possession when he was arrested later that day.

“We were happy with (the sentence) because he’s kind of a scary guy, just based on his behavior,” Deputy District Attorney Lisa Kuykendall said. The District Attorney’s Office requested the maximum sentence in the case.

Gonzales asked the court for “mercy and compassion,” before being sentenced.

“I do realize that I do deserve some time in prison. I look forward to putting this all behind me someday and becoming a productive member of society,” Gonzales said.

Public Defender Ruth Wheeler, representing the man, noted Gonzales stayed out of legal trouble for 10 years before the two attacks that occurred on the same day. Wheeler requested the man be sentenced to nine years in prison and a closely monitored probation to determine whether he is capable of improving himself.

Wheeler did not return calls for comment.

Prior to the plea, the case was scheduled to have two separate jury trials set to begin Thursday.

“25% of all sex offenders re-offend within 15 years”

………Sarah Tofte

Darius Gonzales – Repeat Sex Offender – Blows his Second Chance

Gonzales asked the court for “mercy and compassion”

“I do realize that I do deserve some time in prison.
I look forward to putting this all behind me someday”

Public Defender Ruth Wheeler,
noted Gonzales stayed out of legal trouble for 10 years
before the two attacks that occurred on the same day.

An unregistered sex offender accused of raping one woman at gunpoint and attempting to kidnap another hours earlier was sentenced to serve 18 years in prison last week after pleading guilty to the crimes.

Farmington resident Darius Gonzales, 28, was given the maximum sentence by District Judge John Dean.

Gonzales pleaded guilty to second-degree kidnapping, third-degree criminal sexual penetration, third-degree assault with intent to commit a violent felony, possession of a firearm by a felon and failure to register as a sex offender.

Gonzales also admitted to prior felony convictions, including two counts of rape, aggravated burglary, residential burglary and intimidation of a witness, which all took place in 1997.

“I normally look at life from the point that people make mistakes and go on,” the judge said while sentencing the man. “When you make the same mistakes twice, I think the rules change … You get your chances and then you blow them.”

According to police, Gonzales attempted to lure into his van a woman exiting the East Main Street Wal-Mart around 3:45 a.m. Oct. 24, threatening that he had a gun.

After refusing to get in the van, that victim was able to escape and report the incident to Wal-Mart security.

“He advised he knew she was scared and was going to take her in the van but did not know where he was going to take her and what he was going to do with her,” arrest documents state.

Less than eight hours later, Gonzales raped a different woman in a Culpepper Lane home where he did housework.

The victim said she was lured to the house with drugs. Gonzales later pulled a handgun, duct-taped her hands, eyes and mouth, and raped her, the woman told police.

Gonzales admitted the crimes, but denied having a gun in either attack. Police found a gun in his possession when he was arrested later that day.

“We were happy with (the sentence) because he’s kind of a scary guy, just based on his behavior,” Deputy District Attorney Lisa Kuykendall said. The District Attorney’s Office requested the maximum sentence in the case.

Gonzales asked the court for “mercy and compassion,” before being sentenced.

“I do realize that I do deserve some time in prison. I look forward to putting this all behind me someday and becoming a productive member of society,” Gonzales said.

Public Defender Ruth Wheeler, representing the man, noted Gonzales stayed out of legal trouble for 10 years before the two attacks that occurred on the same day. Wheeler requested the man be sentenced to nine years in prison and a closely monitored probation to determine whether he is capable of improving himself.

Wheeler did not return calls for comment.

Prior to the plea, the case was scheduled to have two separate jury trials set to begin Thursday.

“25% of all sex offenders re-offend within 15 years”

………Sarah Tofte

Lyle Daniel Montgomery – Serial Child Molesting Pedophile – GUILTY

Lyle Daniel Montgomery, 54, of Trinity, was convicted on Friday of sodomy in the second degree from acts stemming from the early 1980s, and will face sentencing on December 18.

The Attorney General’s Office tried the case last week in Morgan County Circuit Court, and a jury returned a guilty verdict on Friday.

Specifically, the State produced evidence and testimony that Montgomery was a “preferential sex offender”, one who has a predilection and unusual interest in sexual relations with young boys, in this instance, between the ages of 6 and 13.

The state’s primary victim testified that he met the defendant in 1982 when he was 11 years old and the defendant was an employee at Funland Skating Rink in Decatur.

The victim testified that his mother became friends with Montgomery and soon began allowing him to stay alone at Montgomery’s home four nights a week.

The victim testified that he was molested by Montgomery several times until he was 13 years old.

Three other men in their late 30s testified for the State as motive witnesses.

Each recounted their own individual molestations by Montgomery which fell outside the chargeable statute of limitations of January 7, 1982.

One testified that as a nine-year old boy in the late 1970s, he began doing odd jobs for Montgomery for pay.

He testified that he was sodomized hundreds of times at Montgomery’s home and at least once in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and was photographed nude.

The next witness testified that Montgomery lured him with a pair of skates on his 13th birthday and molested him on multiple occasions, including in Montgomery’s vehicle.

The last motive witness testified that he first encountered Montgomery when he and his sister were waiting on the school bus. The witness testified that he was eight years old and that Montgomery asked to take his picture. The witness finally testified that Montgomery befriended his mother and would take him skating and abuse him afterward at Montgomery’s home.

In addition, the State produced testimony that a search of Montgomery’s home in September 2006 yielded hundreds of pictures of unidentified boys between the approximate ages of 6 and 13, love letters to children, and a missing computer processing unit.

On cross-examination, the defendant admitted to skinny-dipping with young boys, sleeping in the bed with young boys, and giving gifts to young boys. The defendant claimed that his computer had recently quit working and that he drove to Huntsville and threw it in a dump.

“No matter how cold the case may be, my staff and I will pursue the apprehension and prosecution of criminal sex offenders,” said Attorney General King. “I am committed to the re-examination of cold cases that involve criminal sex offenses against children so that the victims in these cases may have some semblance of justice.”

Montgomery faces up to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of not more than $10,000 for the class B felony offense.

John E. Melchior – Repeat Sex Offender – Runs to his Death

Melchoir has a history of arrests for similar offenses
dating back to 1982 and is a registered sex offender.

Parma police are no longer looking for a registered sex offender they say broke into a woman’s apartment and tried to rape her late Thursday night. The man led police on a short chase, which ended in a fatal crash Friday evening.

Police say John E. Melchior broke into a unit at the Parma Woods Apartment complex and attacked a 26-year-old woman around 10 p.m. She was awakened to discover Melchior completely nude and walking into her bedroom. Police say the victim tried to call 911 but the suspect knocked her phone from her hand. As he tried to force himself upon her, she put up a struggle and was able to fend him off.

Members of the Parma police department identified John Melchior as the suspect Friday. Police say Melchoir has a history of arrests for similar offenses dating back to 1982 and is a registered sex offender.

Melchoir was riding a motorcycle when he led police on the chase that resulted in his death.

“25% of all sex offenders re-offend within 15 years”

………Sarah Tofte

John E. Melchior – Repeat Sex Offender – Runs to his Death

Melchoir has a history of arrests for similar offenses
dating back to 1982 and is a registered sex offender.

Parma police are no longer looking for a registered sex offender they say broke into a woman’s apartment and tried to rape her late Thursday night. The man led police on a short chase, which ended in a fatal crash Friday evening.

Police say John E. Melchior broke into a unit at the Parma Woods Apartment complex and attacked a 26-year-old woman around 10 p.m. She was awakened to discover Melchior completely nude and walking into her bedroom. Police say the victim tried to call 911 but the suspect knocked her phone from her hand. As he tried to force himself upon her, she put up a struggle and was able to fend him off.

Members of the Parma police department identified John Melchior as the suspect Friday. Police say Melchoir has a history of arrests for similar offenses dating back to 1982 and is a registered sex offender.

Melchoir was riding a motorcycle when he led police on the chase that resulted in his death.

“25% of all sex offenders re-offend within 15 years”

………Sarah Tofte