WANTED: Jesse William Kirk - Repeat Sex Offender

Authorities in western Montana are looking for a 35-year-old sex offender who sneaked into a Missoula tanning booth Monday and spied on a woman, then followed her outside into the parking lot.

Jesse William Kirk was last registered as a sexual offender in Hayden, Idaho, and also is wanted on a felony burglary warrant out of Helena. In that case, Kirk allegedly entered the Planet Beach spa on June 17 and stole a purse from an office employee.

Helena Police Chief Troy McGee said Kirk is also suspected of peering beneath a fitting room door at Ross Dress For Less on June 17 and watching at least one woman change clothes. McGee said the man could face additional misdemeanor charges for the “Peeping Tom” offense.

Kirk is likely driving a 1993 black Toyota pickup truck with Idaho license plate T6F093050.

In 1999, Kirk was convicted of assault with intent to commit rape in Sacramento, Calif. He was released from a prison in Idaho on June 1, and signed up as a sex offender with the Idaho Department of Corrections two days later. He is currently listed as “compliant” on the department's Web site.

According to local police, Kirk walked into the Brown Sugar tanning salon, 3275 N. Reserve St. in Missoula, around noon on June 22 and signed up as a new client. Kirk then walked into a separate booth and observed a woman tanning. He then followed the woman outside when she left the salon.

Kirk is described as a white male adult who stands 6 feet, 2 inches tall and weighs 220 pounds. He has reddish or auburn hair and brown eyes. He was last known to have short hair and is clean-shaven.

Anyone with information about Kirk's whereabouts should call 9-1-1 or Missoula Crimestoppers at 721-4444. Police say not to approach or attempt to apprehend him.

“We have entered his information into NCIC (National Crime Information Center), so if he's found anywhere he'll be picked up,” said McGee.

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