Worcester Sex Offender Moriarty Admits Registration Failure

WORCESTER, MA – George Moriarty, 55, a former resident of Worcester, Massachusetts, admitted in federal court today to deliberately dodging his legal obligations as a registered sex offender. Moriarty’s failure to notify authorities of a change of address is the latest chapter in a history of offenses, raising questions about the effectiveness of sex offender tracking.

Moriarty pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman. The charge stems from his relocation to New York sometime after April 2013, a move he made without informing the proper authorities, a direct violation of federal and state law. Sentencing is scheduled for August 3, 2017, leaving Moriarty facing a potentially lengthy prison term.

Court records reveal Moriarty’s criminal past dates back to October 1994, when he was convicted of indecent assault and battery on a child under the age of 14. The Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board subsequently classified him as a Level 2 offender, indicating a moderate risk to the public. His recent actions demonstrate a clear disregard for the safety of the communities he inhabits.

After disappearing from Massachusetts, Moriarty was indicted in November 2016 and apprehended in New York. He was then extradited back to Massachusetts to face the charges. He now faces a maximum sentence of 10 years behind bars, coupled with a minimum of five years – and potentially a lifetime – of supervised release. A hefty fine of up to $250,000 could also be levied.

Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb and U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts, John Gibbons, jointly announced the guilty plea. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of Weinreb’s Major Crimes Unit, signaling a firm stance against those who attempt to evade accountability.

This case is being pursued under the umbrella of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide Department of Justice initiative launched in 2006. The project aims to aggressively protect children from exploitation and abuse by coordinating federal, state, and local resources to identify, apprehend, and prosecute offenders. More information on Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.projectsafechildhood.gov/. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing.