Hurricane Katrina

Officials searching for parole evacuees

10:40 PM CDT on Wednesday, September 7, 2005

By MARY ANN RAZZUK / WFAA-TV

There are some criminals lurking among Hurricane Katrina victims housed in shelters across Texas.

There have been arrests made for offenses that include public intoxication and drug possession. Also, some have been arrested for family violence and peeping Toms have been caught stalking public bathrooms and showers.

Hundreds of faces, names and addresses fill a registered sex offender website set up by New Orleans police. But after Hurricane Katrina, many of their whereabouts - and even their identities - are a mystery.

"A perfect opportunity for some of them to just disappear," said state Rep. Jerry Madden.

But state and federal law enforcement are hot on the trail trying to track hurricane evacuees now in Texas who are known sex offenders, on parole, probation or out on bond.

State officials said while the majority of storm evacuees are good, hard-working people, there are likely some among them with criminal intentions or dangerous backgrounds that might try to prey on other evacuees or those trying to help.

Two Louisiana parishes alone have about 2,300 registered sex offenders according to state officials. Officials said they want to know how many made their way into Texas, into shelters or into the unsuspecting open arms and homes of people wanting to help.

"We know some of them are very dangerous," Madden said.

Residents are urged to be careful, even with relatives with no known criminal background. On Tuesday, Plano police arrested an evacuee staying with extended family and charged him with aggravated sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl.

Authorities said there are other ways to help Katrina victims including volunteering with groups to find evacuees jobs and homes.

Plano mom Glee Wall said she wants to help but worries about predators.

"I feel that getting involved with the Red Cross - or some of the other centers that could help - is where we need to really help and get our energies focused," Wall said.

E-mail mrazzuk@wfaa.com