Failure to register leads to nine months prison

Originally published in the Daily Advocate Feb. 12, 2020

By Bethany J. Royer-DeLong

GREENVILLE — A defendant considered “on the run,” across several states, appeared for
sentencing in Darke County Common Pleas Court on Monday.

Melecio Gonzales, 34, of Greenville, went before Judge Jonathan P. Hein for failure to register, a
third-degree felony. The charge is not the first for the defendant with a pending charge for failure
to register in Elkhart County, Ind. and an active warrant out of Michigan.

Gonzales was convicted of sexual misconduct with a minor in Marshall County, Ind., in 2012,
and has failed to register, according to Darke County Assistant Prosecutor Deborah Quigley,
since 2017.

“It’s clear he’s not compliant,” continued Quigley, citing failure to appear and failing to
complete recommended treatment programs. “The state does not believe he is the appropriate
person for community control.”

While making no excuses for his client’s past behavior, David Rohrer, defense attorney, believed
Gonzales was “going on a different track now” and would be compliant with probation if placed
on community control.

When asked by Judge Hein what he meant by a different track, Rohrer stated his client had been
compliant with him and noted current housing stability, something Gonzales had previously
lacked.

Gonzales was quick to admit his past was sketchy, with no excuse for failing to complete
treatments beyond a lack of access to a vehicle and housing.

“I understand, I mess up, I pay the consequences, at the same time I’m trying to do better for
myself, and try to follow the rules,” said Gonzales. He noted current residence with his fiancé
and a step-child and that he only had “so much” time left on his registration requirements.

“It’s not hard to register,” said Judge Hein, “I don’t understand the Michigan, Indiana warrants,”

Gonzales reiterated the previous lack of housing, citing probation did not want him living with
anyone who had children.

“Even though I’m not a dangerous sex offender, I [am] only a regular sex offender,” continued
Gonzales.

Judge Hein sentenced Gonzales to the minimum nine months prison with no jail time credit and
he faces three years of optional post-release control.
Also in court, Leroy E. Jones, 40, of Randolph County, Ind., for sentencing on aggravated
trafficking in meth, a third-degree felony. He was sentenced to 12 months in prison, to run
concurrent with an Indiana sentence of 27 months, with no jail time credit, and court costs.