Woman Named Sex Offender in Other Than Home State

(Cromwell, Connecticut) In September 2006, a young woman from Massachusetts, Sarah Colby, traveled to Connecticut to engage in a sexual encounter with a 15-year-old boy she met through MySpace.com on the Internet.

Ultimately, Colby was arrested and charged with second-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor.

In September 2007, 25-year-old Sarah Colby pleaded guilty to reduced charges of fourth-degree sexual assault and using a computer to entice a minor. As a result, Superior Court Judge Frank A. Iannotti sentenced Colby to 10 years probation.

Additionally, Colby must register as a sex offender in Connecticut even though she lives in Massachusetts. Polygraph and mental health tests along with drug evaluations were also ordered. Furthermore, Colby has been prohibited from having contact with any minor under the age of 16 and from using a computer or accessing the Internet at home.

So, an adult is found guilty of soliciting a minor over the Internet and traveling across state lines to engage in sex and gets probation. Not only that, but the probation and probation requirements imposed wouldn't seem to be enforceable on out of state residents. For instance, how does a Connecticut probation officer monitor the behavior of a person living in another state? Also, does a sex offender registered in Connecticut have to comply with Massachusetts sex offender restrictions?

Arguably, Colby was given a lenient sentence. Ten years probation would seem to be mollifying, however, since Colby doesn't live in Connecticut, it's also arguable as to whether any of the restrictions are enforceable. Frankly, it doesn't seem as though they are.