FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 27, 2007

SEX OFFENDER FACES POSSIBLE 10 YEARS SENTENCE FOR FAILING TO REGISTER

State Attorney Steve Meadows announces the conviction, in Washington County Circuit Court, of Elwood Staley on a charge of Failure of Sex Offender to Register Properly.

A Washington County jury deliberated about one hour and 35 minutes before finding Staley guilty of failing to register between May 1 and June 29, 2006. Florida law requires Sexual Offenders to keep law enforcement advised of their whereabouts.

Assistant State Attorney Barbara M. Finch will seek Habitual Offender Sanctions when Staley is sentenced on September 11, 2007. If found to be a habitual felony offender; Staley faces 10 years in prison.

Staley was sentenced to nine years prison for a 1990 Washington County sexual battery. His sexual offender status stems from that case.