AL- Sex Offender Talks About Moving Out Of Myric Motel

6-18-2009 Alabama:

Sex offender talks about rejection, shares plan for moving, expresses feelings about the move

HUNTSVILLE, AL - The clock is ticking as the final days of the Myric Motel could be fast approaching. WHNT NEWS 19 told you last week about the State's Fire Marshal's Office serving a notice suggesting it close after the office found several code violations.

The motel still has a few days to get repairs done, but some of its residents are already moving. WHNT NEWS 19 sat down with one of the residents. The resident is a registered sex offender. He's been living there for years. He, and so many others in the community, are now wondering where will the sex offenders go. The resident told WHNT NEWS 19 he already found a temporary home, but says it was difficult.

The man, who didn't want us to show his face, has called the Myric Motel home for five years. He's now taking steps to find a new place to live. It's turning out to be more difficult than he thought.

"well, I was accused of molesting my daughter," said the sex offender.

He's a registered sex offender. The law says his home has to be at least 2,000 feet from a school, or daycare. He's spent the last few days looking all over for a place to live. The search was harder than he ever imagined. His rejection list grew as every potential new place went up in smoke.

"It was really hard because every place I called, or every place I went to, until I told them I was a registered sex offender, they were happy to give me a room," added the sex offender.

The man, convicted of molesting his daughter in 2001, doesn't expect sympathy from anyone, but says constant rejection from society does hurt.

"When they do that, it's just like a slap in the face," added the sex offender.

He knows most of the other 15 sex offenders who live in the motel on Highway 72.

"They are pretty well laid back. They keep to themselves. They, as far as I know, never caused a problem. We pretty much watch out for each other," added the sex offender.

The community will also be watching the motels 16 sex offenders as they get ready to leave their home, and step out into a world where they're not expecting to be welcomed by open arms.

The registered sex offender told WHNT NEWS 19 the Huntsville Police Department has granted all of the sex offenders who live at the Myric Motel until June 30th to find a new place to live. They are still required by law to re-register their new address when they move.

The motel has until the end of this week to make repairs to keep from shutting down. ..Source.. by Venton Blandin Reporter