Madison Man Sentenced to 9 Months for Failing to Register as a Sex Offender

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Jesse A. McCarty, 55, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 9 months in federal prison for failing to register as a sex offender, in violation of the Sex Offender Notification and Registration Act (SORNA).  McCarty pleaded guilty to this charge on July 18, 2023.

SORNA provides a comprehensive set of minimum standards for sex offender registration and notification in the United States.  It aims to close potential gaps and loopholes that existed under prior law and generally strengthens the nationwide network of sex offender registration and notification programs.  In particular, SORNA requires registered sex offenders to register and keep their registration current in each jurisdiction in which they reside, work, or go to school.

In November 2007, McCarty was convicted of sex offenses in Tennessee state court.  In June 2018, he was convicted for failing to register as a sex offender in Tennessee.  After serving a period of incarceration for that conviction, McCarty absconded from Tennessee probation.  He later moved to Wisconsin, but also failed to register as a sex offender here, in violation of SORNA.

At sentencing, Judge Conley noted that this was McCarty’s second conviction for failing to register and stated that there was no excuse to justify his non-compliance.  Judge Conley emphasized the importance of the sex offender registry and found that McCarty had been living “off the grid” without giving those around him the required notice.

The charge against McCarty was the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Anita Marie Boor prosecuted this case.