A sex offender convicted on child pornography charges has allegedly been living illegally within the 750-foot exclusion zone around South Portland’s Holy Cross School, apparently without the knowledge of the South Portland Police Department, despite his address being public information.
Kent S. Moser, 61, was convicted in New York for possession of child pornography and has been living as a Tier I registered sex offender in South Portland. He is required to re-certify his registration every year for ten years.
According to his publicly available sex offender registration, he lives at 178 Cottage Rd., which lies well within the prohibited residential area around the Holy Cross School.
Although the state does not have a law limiting the proximity at which sex offenders can live near schools, some local municipalities do, including South Portland
According to city statutes, “Persons convicted of Class A, B, or C sex offenses committed against persons who had not attained 14 years of age at the time of the offense” are prohibited from living within 750 feet of schools or other areas where children often gather, such as athletic fields.
By comparing the city’s official map of prohibited areas with Moser’s address, The Maine Wire was able to determine that he is allegedly living well within a prohibited zone.
The Maine Wire reached out to the South Portland Police Department to confirm that Moser both lives within the prohibited area and qualifies as a prohibited individual under local law.
The police department initially did not give a clear answer, though their response suggested that they had been unaware of Moser’s presence within the zone before The Maine Wire reached out.
“Thank you for this information. I have spoke [sic] with Mr. Moser and the city is working to bring him into compliance,” said Lieutenant Todd Bernard in an email to The Maine Wire.
The Maine Wire followed up with Bernard, who then confirmed that Moser is allegedly in violation of the city statutes.
“Yes, It does look like he is in violation of the 750 foot restriction zone in city ordinance,” said Bernard.
The city is, according to Bernard, taking action to resolve the issue that potentially endangers children.
Under city statute, a sex offender has 30 days after receiving a written notice informing them of the violation to leave the property or face penalties, including a minimum $500 fine for each day they remain in violation.
Moser also works in the prohibited zone at Otto’s Pizza on the same street as his residence, where he likely comes into contact with children.
