---

A Level Three sex offender released from prison February 19 upon serving his sentence;  has been re-incarcerated by local authorities, reportedly for violating conditions of his release. A roommate at the house where the offender resided was also booked in connection with disorderly conduct and damage to property.
 
The sheriff’s department released a statement February 25 reporting that Thomas Stanton, 48, was back in custody along with Leonard Oliver, who is facing charges for fourth degree criminal damage to property.  

Stanton, formerly known as Thomas Bookwalter, was the subject of a community notification meeting held the same day the sign was erected.  State psychological assessments classified him a Level Three, which relates to probability to re-offend and other factors.  

There also are Level Two and Level One offenders, who do not fall under the public notice process and their whereabouts and personal descriptions aren’t distributed to the general public.  However, qualified authorities who serve children or other vulnerable ctizens,  are made aware of these community members.
As required under Minnesota’s Level Three offender notice statutes, authorities announced at the public notice meeting Feb 24 that Stanton had found housing in a residence, located between Lindstrom and North Branch, off County Road 14.  

A large sign erected on a nearby private field,  declared “sex offender lives here” with an arrow pointing towards the dwelling.  According to investigators the sheriff’s department got a complaint that it was spray-painted over.  Upon interviewing one of the roommates at the house where Stanton lived, the suspect, Leonard Oliver reportedly confessed to the property damage.  

Stanton was arrested for allegedly violating conditions of his release, and booked on a warrant issued by the Dept. of Corrections.

---