EDMONDS — A Level III sex offender is living in the Edmonds area after being released from prison, police officials announced recently.
Robert James Garza, 54, lives in the 23900 block of Highway 99. Garza is white, 5 feet 2 inches tall, weighs 176 pounds and has brown hair and blue eyes, police said.
Letters went out to more than 1,000 area residents last week, police said, and a community meeting took place June 22 to make the announcement.
Garza’s offenses include the sexual assault of a family member as well as runaways who were allowed to stay at his house, police said. The victims all were between 11 and 16 years of age.
According to police, Garza plead guilty in 1992 and was convicted of second degree rape, third degree child rape, three counts of second degree child rape, two counts of second degree statutory rape and two counts of first degree incest. His sentence was 116 months in prison, police said.
Garza must adhere to the following court-ordered conditions, including no contact with his victims or minors, that he shall not consume alcohol and may undergo urinalysis testing and that he shall not consume controlled substances except lawfully issued prescriptions, police said.
According to a police press release, the announcement was made in an effort to inform the community that Garza is living in the area.
The report includes several reminders to community members regarding sex offenders, including: “… sex offenders released back into the community have served their court imposed commitment and are being released in accordance with the law. Anyone harassing or otherwise committing crimes against these sex offenders will be prosecuted.”
According to police, community members can be pro-active and stay informed about where the sex offender is living, what they look like and the conditions of their release.
The press release adds, “Should further violations occur, the public can assist law enforcement with effort to prosecute offenders by pro-actively calling 911 and providing information to police.”
For information regarding sex offenders living in your area, go to www.co.snohomish.wa.us.sheriff.rso.
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