PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Keith Birkett Jr., 33, of Braddock, Pennsylvania, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced for a calculated attempt to evade accountability. Birkett received one year and one day imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, after admitting he knowingly failed to register as a convicted sex offender, a violation of federal law.
The sentence was handed down on February 15, 2013, by United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer. The case, prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amy L. Johnston, revealed a pattern of deliberate non-compliance with the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).
Court documents show Birkett’s troubles began long before his arrival in Pennsylvania. He was originally convicted in 2000 in Queens, New York, of Attempted Sexual Abuse of the First Degree – a felony. This conviction triggered a lifelong requirement to register as a sex offender, a responsibility he brazenly ignored.
In or around January 2011, Birkett crossed state lines, traveling in interstate commerce, and failed to comply with SORNA’s requirements. He neither registered nor updated his registration in his new location, effectively attempting to disappear from law enforcement’s radar. This wasn’t a simple oversight; it was a conscious decision to flout the law and potentially endanger the public.
United States Attorney David J. Hickton, announcing the sentence, made it clear that failing to register is a serious offense. “This prosecution underscores our commitment to enforcing the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act and protecting our communities,” Hickton stated. The U.S. Attorney’s office specifically commended the United States Marshals Service for their diligent investigation, which ultimately brought Birkett to justice.
While a year in federal prison may seem a short sentence for a convicted sex offender, it sends a clear message: attempts to circumvent the law and conceal a dangerous past will not be tolerated. Birkett’s five years of supervised release will hopefully ensure continued monitoring and prevent future violations. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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