Police: Sex Offender Living In Port Chester Didn't Register With Authorities

A homeless man living in Port Chester didn't register with authorities despite his status as a Level 3 sex offender, the Port Chester Police Department said Tuesday.

Police received a tip about a sex offender living in the area, and on Jan. 5 picked up 58-year-old Marvin Smith, Lt. Royal Monroe said. Smith was charged with a felony for failing to register with police.

Port Chester's detective bureau issued a flier on Tuesday with Smith's photo, alerting the community that Smith has been living in Port Chester since December.

Sex offenders in New York State are placed into one of three categories; Level 3 sex offenders are those with the greatest chance of recidivism, according to the state's Division of Criminal Justice Services.

Smith was convicted of first-degree rape and sodomy on Aug. 4, 1981. He served the majority of a 25-year prison sentence and was released, but returned to prison to serve a short sentence after failing to register with authorities after his initial release, Monroe said.

There are no restrictions preventing Smith from inhabiting particular areas within the village.

How can police keep tabs on a person who's homeless?

"That would be a difficult task," Monroe said.

Police are required to notify the community any time a Level 3 sex offender is living in the area, and the flier notes the announcement is not intented to "cause alarm, but to provide the community with information that is available by law."

Residents who have questions or concerns can call the Port Chester Police Department at 914-939-1000.

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