Whidden Faces Decade in Prison for Sex Offender Registration Failure

MONTGOMERY, AL – Gregory Whidden, a resident of Russell County, Alabama, admitted in federal court Friday, May 9, 2014, that he deliberately failed to comply with sex offender registration laws, a federal felony. The plea comes after a grand jury indicted Whidden in February 2014 for violating the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).

According to court documents, Whidden’s legal troubles stem from a 1987 conviction for sexual abuse second degree in Russell County Circuit Court. This conviction triggered a lifetime requirement to register as a sex offender. Whidden initially complied, registering in Lee County, Alabama in 2010 and 2011. He then moved to Florida, registering there, with his last Florida registration occurring in November 2012. The system flagged him when he didn’t update.

The feds say Whidden didn’t stop there. He traveled from Florida back to Alabama in August 2013, setting up shop in Russell County, but intentionally skipped the crucial step of registering as a sex offender in his new state. He didn’t bother updating his registration, effectively disappearing from official tracking systems. At the change of plea hearing, Whidden confirmed he understood his obligations under the law, and admitted to the failure.

United States Attorney George L. Beck, Jr. announced the guilty plea, highlighting the importance of strict adherence to sex offender registration laws. These laws aren’t bureaucratic hurdles; they are vital for public safety. Whidden’s actions put communities at risk, and the Justice Department takes these violations seriously.

Currently, Whidden is cooling his heels in the custody of the United States Marshals Service, awaiting sentencing before Senior United States District Judge Myron H. Thompson. The maximum penalty for this offense is a harsh one: ten years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, and a minimum of five years of supervised release after serving his time. This isn’t a slap on the wrist – it’s a serious consequence for a serious offense.

The investigation was a joint effort between the United States Marshals Service and the Phenix City Police Department, demonstrating the power of interagency cooperation in tackling federal crimes. Assistant United States Attorney Jerusha T. Adams skillfully prosecuted the case, securing the guilty plea.

PRESS CONTACT: Clark Morris
Email: usaalm.press@usdoj.gov
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Fax: (334) 223-7617