Richland sex offender pleads innocent to sleeping in park bathrooms

4-12-2013 Washington:

A convicted sex offender who's had trouble finding stable housing pleaded innocent Thursday to allegations he was caught sleeping in a park bathroom three times in two weeks.

______, 61, is classified as a Level 3 sex offender, meaning he is considered highly likely to reoffend.

As part of his status, he is banned from all Richland city parks, schools and the library because he's to have no contact with kids.

But on three separate occasions, Richland police allegedly found him in or near a restroom at Columbia Point Marina, a park operated by the city.

He knew he wasn't supposed to be there and was kicked out each time, but continued to trespass, court documents allege.

___, who's considered a transient, faces trial June 3 in Benton County Superior Court on three counts of criminal trespass against children.

Police were first called to the marina on March 23 for a citizen report of an assault that had occurred in a restroom.

He was identified as the victim of that assault. He had injuries on his face and a pool of blood was found in the bathroom referred to by the citizen, documents said.

It is not clear in the court documents who beat up ___ or if the suspect was found.

Then on March 28 at 4:21 a.m., Officer Doug Doss was patrolling through the park when he found Sharp sleeping in the bathroom.

And at 4:28 a.m. April 7, Doss found Sharp in the same location.

He told the officer "that he knew he was not allowed in the park, but was trying to stay warm and dry," documents said.

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Members of Bikers Against Child Abuse wanted to make sure that Sharp didn't approach any student. That led Sharp to pack up and leave.

___ is being held in the Benton County jail on $20,000 bail. ..Source.. by Kristin M. Kraemer