In 1996, Steven D. Young, a Bangor Township resident, pleaded no contest to a single count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a victim younger than 13 years of age. He was sentenced to eight to 30 years in prison the following February, and paroled by the Michigan Department of Corrections in May of 2012. Now, Young faces up to 15 years in prison for violating his parole after authorities discovered that Young maintains a Facebook page under another name, and runs an off-the-books tattoo parlor.
According to a news report at Mlive.com, an unnamed tipster informed the Bay City Public Safety Department about Young’s Facebook page, saying that Young was using the name Steve Wolcott and that he was becoming friends on the social media site with single mothers of young children. Bay City police then contacted a Sex Offender Registry Coordinator at the Michigan State Police Tri-City Post.
Young had apparently posted a picture of himself giving another man a tattoo in a kitchen, which the tipster compared with a mug shot of Young. The tipster then provided police with the picture from “Wolcott’s” Facebook page along with a mug shot of Young for comparison. Police determined that Steve Wolcott was indeed Steven D. Young.
Young first denied having the Facebook page, but then admitted that he uses the site to communicate with his girlfriend who lives in Australia. He claimed that his sister created the Facebook account. When asked about the tattooing, Young said that he tattoos only family members and friends, and that he had learned the skill while he was in prison after earning an art degree.
Young was charged with body art facility – general violations, and failure to comply with the Sex Offenders Registration Act. Young was not allowed to own a device or computer, which allowed him to access the Internet as a condition of his parole. He was also not allowed to possess or consume alcohol, which officers discovered he did after administering a Breathalyzer test which revealed Young’s blood alcohol content to be 0.21.
Young will face up to 15 years in prison due to his status as a habitual offender. His trial date is pending after waiving his right to a preliminary examination on March 20.
Sex offense attorneys understand the hardships individuals who have been convicted of a sex crime face. As is indicated in this story, those on parole are not allowed to possess a computer, smartphone, or any device making it possible to access the Internet. In addition, registered sex offenders generally have a hard time getting a job as employers are hesitant to hire someone who is a known sex offender. Sex offenders cannot choose to live anywhere they want to, and are usually shunned by society.
It is critical that anyone accused of a sex-related offense such as sexual assault, possession of child pornography, or rape consult with a highly skilled Michigan sex crimes attorney right away. Your lawyer will work vigorously to protect your freedom, reputation, and future.