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Sex Offenders: Mandatory tracking of their cell phones?
Various | July 12, 2012 | vanity

Posted on 07/12/2012 11:31:27 AM PDT by topher

The recent arrest of Brandon Scott Lavergne in the case of the missing co-ed Mickey Shunick has brought some closure to this case.

His cell phone was seized as part of his arrest. But can records be found of where he went with his cell phone be located? This would be computerized ROAMING of the cell phones showing the stations that the cell phone used to maintain its signal. Is such tracking possible? Should convicted sex offenders have their cell phones tracked to this degree to help in locate missing people?

The pickup seen in a video the night Mickey Shunick disappeared is believed to be one registered to the suspect.

This vehicle was later found burned in Texas, and the suspect bought another Chevy pickup (same Model) to replace the one he claims was stolen.

The real question (that would bring closure) is finding the remains of Mickey Shunick. Police have taken bags of evidence from the home of the suspect, so there may be DNA evidence and other evidence linking the suspect to the co-ed that has disappeared.

The Louisiana State Police claim that they can place the pickup of the suspect at the site where the bicycle the girl was riding was found.

The real question is the following: Should a convicted sex offender have his cell phone records kept by police for a period of time (say 6 months for example). Most importantly, this would include ROAMING RECORDS of the cell phone.

The point is that police would have evidence of where the suspect has gone since the disappearance of the young woman provided he used his cell phone from time to time.

The case is an interesting one. The suspect was released from prison a few years ago. So why was there no tracking device. His conviction was not for child molesting, but he is still a convicted sex offender.

Making this a Federal Law is the real point of this thread. This might protect children and women from violent criminals such as this person.


TOPICS: Computers/Internet; Local News; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: brandonlavergne; mickeyshunick; sexoffender; whitepickup
The case of Mickey Shunick has received national attention.

Googling "Mickey Shunick" "Brandon Lavergne" will yield a variety of articles on this case.

It is my theory that because his conviction occurred as a soldier at Fort Polk, LA that somewhere along the path from his home to where his pickup was burned might be the body of Mickey Shunick

Having a way to track the suspect's movements might lead to closure in this case.

1 posted on 07/12/2012 11:31:36 AM PDT by topher
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To: topher

or...they could leave their cellphones at home when they’re up to no good.


2 posted on 07/12/2012 11:36:57 AM PDT by Aria ( 2008 wasn't an election - it was a coup d'etat.)
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To: topher

—This would be computerized ROAMING of the cell phones showing the stations that the cell phone used to maintain its signal. Is such tracking possible?—

It’s done all the time, but they need a subpoena to get the info.


3 posted on 07/12/2012 11:40:20 AM PDT by cuban leaf (Were doomed! Details at eleven.)
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To: Aria

When I worked with the law enforcement relations part of my cell company I used to tell people, if you’re going to abduct a child, make sure you leave your cell phone at home.

BTW, for drug dealers it’s all about throw away pre-pay phones.


4 posted on 07/12/2012 11:42:35 AM PDT by cuban leaf (Were doomed! Details at eleven.)
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To: Aria
In this case, the police believe there was no premeditation.

It was just the sex offender taking advantage of a situation -- an attractive blonde riding bicycle late at night.

According to reports, the rear wheel of the bicycle was damaged. So he had to get rid of the bicycle, which was found, and Louisiana State Police can place his vehicle at the scene of where the bicycle was recovered.

He still had to travel from Louisiana to Texas to stage his truck being stolen.

He probably had his cell phone with him -- especially if he was going to report his truck stolen.

And he may have taken his cell phone with him to dispose of the body -- however that was done.

5 posted on 07/12/2012 11:44:52 AM PDT by topher (Traditional values -- especially family values -- which have been proven over time.)
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To: topher

The info is there, but keeping track of it wouldn’t be free. The question is: Would the cost involved in tracking the cell phones of sex offenders be offset by any real benefit? I would have to say no, since leaving the cell phone on the kitchen table while offending doesn’t sound like a lot of extra work on the part of the recidivist perp.


6 posted on 07/12/2012 11:45:20 AM PDT by Melas (u)
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To: topher

The fact you can be tracked with extreme accuracy anytime you’re carrying your cell phone is a major reason I don’t have one. Big Brother, no thanks. Nanny State, you can keep it.


7 posted on 07/12/2012 11:46:07 AM PDT by upchuck (FACEBOOK... Share pointless stuff with friends you don't know. Beg for intrusion into your life.)
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To: topher
The case is an interesting one. The suspect was released from prison a few years ago. So why was there no tracking device. His conviction was not for child molesting, but he is still a convicted sex offender.

Don't release dangerous criminals.

If you are worried that you need to keep tabs on them all the time (as if they were house arrest), they probably shouldn't be released.

How about we put a governor that reports any time you've been speeding after you've received a speeding ticket (especially, but not exclusively) if you've caused an accident in the past.

8 posted on 07/12/2012 11:47:40 AM PDT by a fool in paradise (Eric Holder's NAACP rally against the voter ID laws required the press to bring govt issue photo ID.)
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To: cuban leaf
There may still be a way to track pre-pays.

If you use a credit card to purchase them, then the police should be able to back-track to the phone.

This guy probably had to have some sort of cell phone or pre-pay phone with him when he had his truck stolen and burned (so he says).

9 posted on 07/12/2012 11:48:08 AM PDT by topher (Traditional values -- especially family values -- which have been proven over time.)
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To: Aria

Modern GPS work just fine. The strap containes wires that notifies probation if the strap is cut. No such guarantee with a cell phone.


10 posted on 07/12/2012 11:52:37 AM PDT by goseminoles
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To: a fool in paradise
You wrote:

How about we put a governor that reports any time you've been speeding after you've received a speeding ticket (especially, but not exclusively) if you've caused an accident in the past.

Our society views sex offenders as people who need special attention. They have to be registered, for example, on databases so that people can find out if there are any sex offenders in the neighborhood.

What I am proposing is just for the police to use to investigate crimes.

Sex offenders have the problem that society identifies them as very special people -- whether that is right, wrong or indifferent.

11 posted on 07/12/2012 11:54:01 AM PDT by topher (Traditional values -- especially family values -- which have been proven over time.)
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To: topher

Some former sex offenders now parade in the streets and have liberal bastions celebrate them as they spread disease and molest youth. They are now invited INTO schools to corrupt minors and if they molest them, the academic establishment covers for them.

Crime is crime.

Violent muggers are not tracked but they should be. Or is it ok to have someone jump out at you with a gun, tell you to drop to the ground nigger and then demand you throw your wallet?

Don’t think they are multiple offenders?


12 posted on 07/12/2012 12:25:06 PM PDT by a fool in paradise (Eric Holder's NAACP rally against the voter ID laws required the press to bring govt issue photo ID.)
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To: topher

If they cannot be trusted w/o supervision, then why are they out of jail?

They are much easier to track in jail!


13 posted on 07/12/2012 12:31:27 PM PDT by Keith Brown (Among the other evils being unarmed brings you, it causes you to be despised Machiavelli.)
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To: Keith Brown

If they cannot be trusted w/o supervision, then why are they out of jail?

***

Yup. An ex-offender can either be trusted with restoration of full rights under the constitution or cannot. If he/she can, their full citizenship, including the 2nd Amendment, should be restored. If not, keep ‘em locked up.


14 posted on 07/12/2012 1:45:18 PM PDT by gzzimlich
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To: topher

That is a good idea. I am sure that the technology exists and that the results would be useful.


15 posted on 07/12/2012 1:53:10 PM PDT by Rockingham
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To: topher

That is a good idea. I am sure that the technology exists and that the results would be useful.


16 posted on 07/12/2012 1:53:41 PM PDT by Rockingham
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