HAGATÑA, GUAM – Michael Yan Tajan, 33, of San Jose, California, is headed to federal prison for a decade after deliberately dodging his legal obligation to register as a sex offender. U.S. Attorney Shawn N. Anderson announced the sentence today, a direct result of Tajan’s blatant disregard for the law and a potential threat to the community.
The case stems from a 2019 court martial where Tajan, then a Navy Gunner Mate 3rd Class Petty Officer, admitted guilt to multiple offenses under the Uniformed Code of Military Justice Article 120c – specifically, Indecent Recording (10 U.S.C. § 920(c)) involving adult victims. He copped a plea to disobeying a superior officer, indecent recording, and indecent viewing, earning him a reduction in rank, 90 days confinement, and a dishonorable discharge from the Navy. It should have been a clear signal: accountability was coming.
But Tajan didn’t get the message. From June 2019 to October 2023, he established residency in Guam, bounced around with off-island travel, and then returned—all without a single notification to the Guam Sex Offender Registry. He didn’t bother to register, nor did he inform the registry of his international travel plans. This wasn’t an oversight; it was a calculated decision to operate outside the law, potentially putting vulnerable people at risk.
“The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) facilitates the monitoring and tracking of sex offenders following criminal conviction,” Anderson stated bluntly. “It applies throughout all states, territories, and the District of Columbia. The Department of Justice aggressively enforces SORNA violations in an effort to keep our communities safe.” The court also ordered five years of supervised release following Tajan’s imprisonment and a mandatory $100.00 special assessment fee. He’s now required to register with the Sex Offender Registry wherever he resides, is employed, or attends school.
NCIS Special Agent in Charge Darren Hatalosky didn’t mince words either. “Mr. Tajan failed to register as a sex offender as required by law after he was convicted of multiple sex-related offenses, thereby posing a threat to those with whom he comes into regular contact near his home, at work, and in school,” Hatalosky said. “NCIS and the Department of Justice are committed to ensuring convicted sex offenders are held to account for their crimes.”
The investigation was a joint effort by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rosetta L. San Nicolas in the District of Guam. Those with information regarding sex offender violations are encouraged to report it to the authorities. Registration information can be found at nsopw.gov. This case serves as a stark reminder that evading responsibility for past crimes won’t be tolerated, and those who attempt to do so will face the full weight of the law.
Related Federal Cases
- Tajan Gets 10 Months for Sex Offender Registration Violation · Guam
- Timothy Ray Cannon Gets 30 Months for Sex Offender Registration Fail · Oklahoma
- James E. Kelson Gets 30 Months for Sex Offender Registration Failure · West Virginia
- Rot Van Nguyen Charged in Louisiana for Sex Offender Registration Fail · Louisiana
- Habtamu Gebreslassie Gets 5 Years for Client Sex Abuse · Washington
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Sex CrimesSex CrimesSex CrimesSex Crimes