Timothy Roke Cepeda, Sex Offender Failure to Register, Guam 2019

Sex Offender Sentenced to 15 Months Imprisonment in Guam

Guam - In a significant crackdown on sex offenders, Timothy Roke Cepeda, a defendant in the United States District Court of Guam, has been sentenced to 15 months imprisonment and five years of supervised release. This sentence follows Cepeda's guilty plea on May 21, 2019, to Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2250.

According to court documents, Cepeda was also ordered to attend a Sex Offender Treatment Program at the Bureau of Prisons. Upon release, he must register with the Sex Offender Registry in any jurisdiction where he lives, works or attends school. The Court also authorized probation officers to search any of his electronic devices. In addition, Cepeda is prohibited from employment that would place him in direct contact with minors.

The U.S. Attorney, SHAWN N. ANDERSON, announced the sentence, reminding defendants who have committed sexual offenses that, under federal and local law, all sex offenders have a duty to register and keep their registration current with the Sex Offender Registry in their jurisdiction. Sex offenders who travel to Guam and reside on island must inform the Guam Sex Offender Registry where they reside, work or attend school. They must also periodically update their registration information.

The Sex Offender Registry was created in an effort to protect the public and potential victims, prevent further victimization, and inform the public of the whereabouts of sex offenders. Guam's Sex Offender Registry can be found online at the website for the Judiciary of Guam at www.guamcourts.org. The U.S. Marshals Service conducted the investigation, and the case was prosecuted by Rosetta L. San Nicolas, an Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Guam.

The U.S. Attorney noted that this prosecution was part of the nationwide commitment to aggressively prosecute sexual predators who victimize children and adults, possess or receive child pornography, and otherwise fail to register with a Sex Offender Registry. Project Safe Childhood (PSC) is a nationwide initiative that aims to protect children from exploitation and abuse.

Cepeda's sentence serves as a warning to sex offenders who fail to comply with registration requirements. The U.S. Attorney's office will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that those who commit sex crimes are held accountable for their actions.

Defendant: Timothy Roke Cepeda

Criminal Charges: Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, 18 U.S.C. § 2250

City and State: Hagåtña, Guam

Date: May 21, 2019 (Guilty Plea)

Sentence: 15 months imprisonment and five years of supervised release

Location: United States District Court of Guam

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-gu/pr/sex-offender-sentenced-15-months-imprisonment