FL- Sex offender sues Lake Worth

3-27-2008 Florida:

A Lake Worth sex offender has sued the city, saying that he has been wrongfully barred from living legally in the townhome he bought in 2004 because he moved away for three months.

August Synuria, filed suit on today, his 60th birthday, asking that a judge declare the city's prohibition unconstitutional.

Lake Worth prohibits sex offenders from living within 1,500 feet of a school bus stop, day care center, park, playground or library. But there is an exception for sex offenders who established a permanent residence before Oct. 4, 2005, according to the lawsuit. Synuria bought his one-bedroom townhome on Lake Osborne Drive in April 2004.

That might have been the end of the story had Synuria not gotten married and moved to another county in August. He rented the home to an acquaintance, then moved back in October, less than three months after leaving.

When he returned, Synuria notified Lake Worth police and was told he would be arrested if he resumed living in the townhome, because as a registered sex offender he could not legally do so.

Synuria argues that the townhome is still his permanent residence. The city's actions, his lawsuit contends, "constitute a termination of plaintiff's 'grandfathered-in' rights and therefore, a forfeiture."

Lake Worth City Attorney Larry Karnes could not be reached for comment.

Synuria was convicted in 1994 of lewd and lascivious activity on, or in the presence of, a child under 16. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement lists his current address as suburban Boca Raton.

Local and state ordinances restricting where sex offenders can live in Florida and elsewhere have stirred debate, because in some cases there is almost no place an offender can live without breaking the law.

Synuria tried to quit-claim ownership of his property to a friend after he was told he would be arrested if he lived there again, according to his lawsuit. But his homeowners association voided the deal, saying that Synuria needed association approval first. For now, he still owns the home. ..more.. by LARRY KELLER, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer