Level 3 sex offender has new Royal City address

ROYAL CITY — A convicted Level 3 sex offender has a new address in Royal City.

Ernesto Leyva, 28, will be living in the 12,000 block of Road M Southwest. Leyva has previous convictions for first-degree child molestation in July 2006 and third-degree rape in February 2009. Leyva is described as a Hispanic male, 5 feet 8 inches tall weighing 140 pounds with brown eyes and black hair. He has a tribal tattoo on his left forearm and the letters “J,” “A” “X” “E” tattooed on his left knuckles.

Washington state law allows law enforcement agencies to notify the public of a sex offender’s release when the information enhances public safety and protection. The Community Protection Act of 1990 states that people convicted of a sex offense or kidnapping must register where they live. Communities are notified when Level 2 or 3 sex offenders register at a new address. Level 1 sex offenders are required to verify their address once every 12 months, while Level 2 sex offenders are required to verify their address every six months and Level 3 sex offenders are required to verify their address every three months, according to the sheriff’s office. It is against the law to harass, intimidate or threaten sex offenders.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction’s Office states that Level 3 sex offenders pose a high risk to reoffend. They state that most Level 3 offenders have “predatory” characteristics and may seek out victims unknown to them, may have used violence in their crime and may have either refused or failed to complete sex offender treatment programs.

For more information about registered sex offenders living in Grant County contact Deputy Greg Hutchison via email at ghutchison@grantcountywa.gov or by phone at 509-766-3191 ext. 2312.