The Richland County Sheriff’s Department in cooperation with the Richland County Sex Offender Notification Team is releasing the following information pursuant to Wisconsin State Statute 301.46(2m) which authorizes law enforcement agencies to inform the public of a sex offender’s release when, in the discretion of the agency, the release of information will enhance public safety, awareness and protection.
In December of 2013 a Richland County Jury determined that John A. Elder, 43, of Richland Center, no longer met the criteria of a civil commitment under Wisconsin’s sexually violent person’s law. After the trial Elder was released from Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Facility in Mauston, Wisconsin and moved to the Green Bay area.
Due to the fact that Elder has recently moved back into Richland County and he is currently residing at 25266 County Highway Y in Richland Township, it has been determined that in the interest of public safety and awareness, a community notification is necessary.
John A. Elder was convicted of Attempted 2nd Degree Sexual Assault of a Child on December 18, 1991. This case involved sexual contact with a 15 year old female who was a non-relative acquaintance. The court case number on this charge was 90CF26.
On October 28, 1996 Elder was convicted of 2nd Degree Sexual Assault of a Child. This case involved sexual contact with a 14 year old female, non-relative acquaintance. The court case number on this charge and conviction was 96CF05.
On October 28, 1996 a second pending charge of 2nd Degree Sexual Assault of a Child was also completed with a conviction and prison term issued. The victim in this case was a 14 year old female non-relative acquaintance. The case number on this charge was 96CF06.
So now John Elder is 43 years of age, stands 6 foot 1 inches tall and weighs about 205 pounds. He is a white male with blue eyes and blonde hair. He has served his time and is released into the public.
While John Elder is NOT on any formal supervision he does have a few restrictions set by current law. As a registered sex offender he many not change his name or identify himself by any other name, other than John Elder. He is not allowed to take photos or video of children under the age of 17 without written consent of the child’s parent or guardian. He may not work in a field that requires him to work near a child that is under the age of 16 years old. He must report any personal internet identifiers to the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry including any used on any social network. Finally, he must notify any school ahead of time if he is going to be on school grounds.
This community notification is not intended to increase fear; rather, it is our belief that an informed public is a safer public. THIS PERSON IS NOT CURRENTLY WANTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT. Convicted sex offenders have always lived in our communities, but it was not until the Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Law was enacted that law enforcement was able to share this information with the community. While we believe having this information is important to our citizens, please be aware that citizen abuse of this information used to threaten, intimidate or harass registered sex offenders is a violation of the law and cannot be tolerated.
To learn more about the Sex Offender Registration Program in the State of Wisconsin, or to obtain information on other registered sex offenders living in Richland County, please visit the sex offender registration website at http://www.offender.doc.state.wi.us/public/.
If you have questions about this sex offender or other sex offenders released into the public please feel free to call me at the sheriff’s department at 608-647-2106 or on my cell phone at 604-9121 and I will try and assist you in any way I can.
Richland County Sheriff Darrell C. Berglin
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