Sunday, June 1, 2008

Robert Andrew Forgy - Repeat Sex Offender


"25% of all sex offenders re-offend within 15 years"
.........Sarah Tofte

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services caseworker called to investigate whether two toddlers were molested only left a pamphlet with the Dupo man the caller claimed molested them.

The DCFS investigator never called police, never interviewed the children and didn't even question the man, who was already a convicted sex offender, according to police reports.

Police only learned about the abuse when a family member brought the girls, ages 1 and 3, to the sheriff's department to make a complaint.

"It's important on the types of cases that law enforcement is involved in the very beginning," said Capt. Steve Johnson, who heads investigations for the St. Clair County Sheriff's Department. "We work closely with DCFS, but our involvement is imperative for the safety and protection of everyone involved."

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is investigating, said Kendall Marlowe, DCFS spokesman, but couldn't comment on the specifics of the case due to department policy.

Robert Andrew Forgy, 27, of 369 McBride Ave. in Dupo, now faces charges of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child -- a felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison.

DCFS received a hotline call on May 13, alleging 1-year-old and 3-year-old girls were molested. Two days later, a family member and the two children walked into the St. Clair County Sheriff Department and asked to speak to investigators.

After taking the report, Sgt. Dan Stockett, Investigators Desmond Williams and Matt Jany were sent to 369 McBride Ave. in Dupo to speak with Forgy.

The three officers were allowed into the home, Johnson said, and discovered a noose hanging from the ceiling with a chair underneath in the living room.

"Naturally, we became concerned," Johnson said.

The officers began searching for Forgy and eventually spotted him walking through a nearby field.

"Investigators conducted two days worth of questioning with family members and the suspect," Johnson said. "The children were interviewed at the Child Advocacy Center."

In 1999, Forgy was charged with predatory criminal sexual assault of a child after police said he raped an 11-year-old Cahokia girl.

In a plea deal, Forgy received a 3 1/2 year prison sentence in exchange for his guilty plea to the reduced charge of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

Forgy is required to register as a sex offender as a sexual predator.

"The sheriff's department is working with the department to ensure that this situation doesn't happen again," Johnson said. "We offered (DCFS) our full cooperation so we can work together in these type of cases."

Marlowe could not comment on if the investigator faced possible disciplinary action, citing department policy.

13% of all new sex crimes is committed by someone
who is already on the sex offender registry
..........Sarah Tofte, Human Rights Watch

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