Sex offender released into Janesville neighborhood
From the WCLO newsroom:
Janesville Police are warning residents living near the 1200 block of South Cherry Street a convicted sex offender will be living in their neighborhood.
Deputy Police Chief David Moore says 27-year-old Richard Denson is being released Thursday from Rock Valley Community Corrections. Moore says neighbors were informed Wednesday night. Denson’s criminal history includes convictions of 3rd degree sexual assault of an adult female, and attempted 2nd degree sexual assault of a child, in 1997.
He is described as a black male, 5’7” tall, 210 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.


Nov 27, 2008 at 11:20 p.m.
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Ok then i'l let it go at that .
Nov 27, 2008 at 9:30 p.m.
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Nope, no hotshot about it. When summergal invoked her "experience" I just wanted to let her know that she is not the only one out here with experience, and in this particular case her information was incorrect.
That's all.
Nov 27, 2008 at 8:18 p.m.
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wisconsinheat the reason i responed to your post the way i did because you were acting like a hot shot law enforcement agent .or maybe a rent a cop EH .
Nov 25, 2008 at 6:10 p.m.
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klick....A couple of questions for you.
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Based on the subject of this story, is my experience more relevant than summergals? since the onus is on her to substantiate her contention. (Which she hasn't done.)
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Would you really believe me anyway if I did tell you my experience? Based on your previous comments in different posts, it's obvious you would not.
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And third, you seem to doubt my explaination of how the law enforcement response really works. In that case you should check it out for yourself, instead of being a troll.
Nov 20, 2008 at 6:49 p.m.
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wisconsinheat i have a tin star and a pair of Roy Rogers cap pistols with holster going up on Ebay maybe you will be the high bidder EH .
Nov 19, 2008 at 4:59 p.m.
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Wisconsinheat ONE MORE TIME this is a question
wisconsinheat Oh, and as a disclaimer...I've had a bit of experience in this area myself.
wisconsinheat tell us in you're own words what
experience you have
Nov 15, 2008 at 9:20 p.m.
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No intent on nasty, I'm just trying to figure out how you come to the conclusion that "they are the ones who would respond if something did happen" and "the local sheriff's department is ususally the ones who have to deal with the guy first if something were to occur."
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If the perp is placed in say, Janesville or Beloit, JPD or BPD would be the first responders "if something were to occur."
Nov 15, 2008 at 8:16 p.m.
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wisconsinheat - no need to turn nasty on us - I was simply stating what I know happens in the county that I work in. By the way - I never said the responsibility falls on the sheriff's department - I said that they are the ones who would respond if something did happen. DOC is the agency responsible for the offender -but unfortunately the local sheriff's department is ususally the ones who have to deal with the guy first if something were to occur.
Nov 15, 2008 at 5:56 p.m.
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wisconsinheat Oh, and as a disclaimer...I've had a bit of experience in this area myself.
wisconsinheat tell us in you're own words what
experience you have .
Nov 15, 2008 at 2:11 p.m.
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What about two 15 year olds having consensual sex?
They both would be considered sex offenders.
Nov 15, 2008 at 1:31 p.m.
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Has the statute of limitations expired yet? If not, maybe the next time he angers you.....
Nov 15, 2008 at 12:03 p.m.
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Assumptions, assumptions, assumptions. You know what they say about assuming, doncha? I'm sure you do. ;) I won't defend either one of them to you. I know these kids. You don't. You see him as the predator, and you see her as his victim. I see that as naive.
Btw, when I had just turned 17, I met a 22-year-old guy who had just come home from Iraq. Six months later, I moved in with him. A year after that, I married him. We were having sex when I was considered a "child." Would you consider him a sex offender as well? Wait. Nevermind. Of course you do.
Nov 15, 2008 at 10:22 a.m.
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19 year olds who seduce 16 year olds ought to be in jail (I bet she was 15 or even 14 when they started, Spunkmeyer). We refer to children of that age as being below the age of consent which means the sex between them was not consensual which your buddy probably knew (I suspect he referred to her as jail bait at least a time or two).
Nov 15, 2008 at 9:40 a.m.
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I think everyone should get off of ilovehockey's case. He/she was making a valid statement. Not all sex offenders are rapists or pedophiles. A friend of mine was 19. His girlfriend was 16. Her mother had him arrested when she found out they were having CONSENTUAL sex. He is now considered a "sex offender."
I'm not claiming that's what happened here with the man in this article. I'm simply stating that people should investigate the charges of a sex offender before getting the lynch mob together.
http://offender.doc.state.wi.us/public/h...
Nov 14, 2008 at 11:34 p.m.
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Just for the sake of accuracy summergal, the state is required to monitor, and whichever law enforcement agency has the unfortunate luck to have the perp housed in their jurisdiction, is the ones to "check on" them, unless of course they happen to be remanded to the county jail.
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So, in the interest of learning here, I would be most appreciative if you would explain how or why you seem to think the responsibility falls upon the sheriff's dept.?
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Oh, and as a disclaimer...I've had a bit of experience in this area myself.
Nov 14, 2008 at 10:52 a.m.
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Oh Good... Another pervert stuffed down in the 4th ward. Has anyone besides myself noticed the high percentage of sex offenders in Janesville, housed in the 4th ward? I get the general impression attitudes about that area have not changed, & there's no real plans to clean up the slum lords, gangs, or drugs. I recently got pulled over in the 4th ward for a headlight out, & noticed even the Janesville Police officers treat people there like they're felons.. just for being in the area. Now granted.. there are a lot of felons in the 4th, but standard policy should not dictate treating all people in certain area's of the city like criminals, just because they are there (unless they're criminals of course)
A little off topic.. but not far *grin*..
Nov 14, 2008 at 10:08 a.m.
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and let me finish that statement for you. ...and the county guys will complain about being over-worked and underpaid, and blame the state guys. Meanwhile, the state guys will sit around and blame the county guys. And while they are doing this, there will be more victims.
Nov 14, 2008 at 8:24 a.m.
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Having worked in the Wisconsin Court System for over 15 years - I can assure you - the county deputies are the ones who check on this guy and will be the ones to respond if something happens. DOC (state agency) is responsible for monitoring them - but the ones who actually respond and do routine checks are the deputies of the county in which this guy is housed. He will be processed within the county he was convicted in - so in a sense - both our state and county taxes pay for this guy.
Nov 13, 2008 at 9:34 p.m.
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"That county is responsible for the monitoring of the individual and those who pay taxes in that county pay for this guy to be watched."
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Actually, it's the states' responsibility to do the monitoring. And our state taxes pay for it. But it's still cheaper than the death penalty.
Nov 13, 2008 at 9:30 p.m.
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I just looked up one sex offender that i know and he is LIFE REGISTRATION
NOT COMPLIANT so i guess i will start looking for him . so (it) can go back to prison .
Nov 13, 2008 at 9:13 p.m.
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Here is another site a lot of people don't know about . and you don't get spammed .
http://www.peoplefinders.com/register/de...
Nov 13, 2008 at 9:07 p.m.
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Irish: Why here,maybe were the dumping ground,who knows. If why "IS" the question,why is the sky blue,i do know that answer,but why they choose Janesville to dump on,can't answer that.
Nov 13, 2008 at 8:55 p.m.
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Look him up on ccap and as to different communities there are still women and children? And race has nothing to do with this.Also the community doesnt make the criminal the person who becomes one does. Woodman i have been in janesville over 38 years as an adult and am aware of the changes. I also dont see this as a crime of a specific race IMO I was just saying why here.
Nov 13, 2008 at 8:49 p.m.
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rishlady4ev I know that, we don't want the filth either !
Nov 13, 2008 at 8:43 p.m.
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KICK he is originally from beloit
Nov 13, 2008 at 7:53 p.m.
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Most legitimate research in the last 50 years shows sex offenders have significantly lower rates of sexual reoffense than any other criminal. Research shows most sex offenders do not reoffend. Some sex offenders do reoffend, and a few sex offenders reoffend in high number, or in particularly violent manners (for example child death's). The news reports on the few high reoffence and spectacular cases. This perpetuates the urban myth all sex offenders reoffend. This myth also makes it easier for the legislature and the public to support laws that stigmatize sex offenders, all in the name of protecting the community. Kind of like Hitler did when he blamed all the economic and social problems of Germany on the jews. It's easier to do horrible things to other human beings if you can be persuaded that doing so will somehow solve some community problem.
Nov 13, 2008 at 7:42 p.m.
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a sex offender is a sex offender. he has multiples. one of his mentioned convictions was of an ADULT female. so youre thing about what if he was 16 and she was 15 doesnt matter. even if that were true in the one case it obviously cant pertain to the "adult female" now can it? he forced his nasty self on some poor woman. SICK SICK SICK SICK.
Nov 13, 2008 at 7 p.m.
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ilovehockey, im glad youre not a judge here. Your sympathetic point of view is unbelievable. What would you do to this man? give him a slap on the wrist and a new puppy to cuddle with because he may be such a nice guy?
Nov 13, 2008 at 4:47 p.m.
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SummerGal77, you know, court trials are not only meant to convict the guilty. They are meant to discover the truth. How many innocents have been forced to accept a plea bargain or face total ruin at the hands of a justice system that seems intent on bringing dozens of charges for the purpose of intimidating defendants to accept the least serious ones while allowing reprobates to escape the full consequences of their criminality for expediency’s sake?
Justice is worth the price. Yes, trials cost a lot more than plea bargains but the search for truth should not hinge on the cost. Yes, that is idealistic. I don't know if Janesvillean's figure of 95% is accurate, but even if one accepts the necessity of plea bargains, it's clear that the justice system relies on it much too heavily.
Of all the things that government spends money on, criminal justice should be the first priority. What else could be more worthy of our money?
Nov 13, 2008 at 3:49 p.m.
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Irishlady4ev
Why wasnt he sent back to beloit? I am curious to why most sex offenders are released into Janesville rather then their home town?
Irishlady4ev the same reason you don't want them in Janesville.
Nov 13, 2008 at 3:23 p.m.
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I have to agree with janesvillean. Plea bargains are standard practice in most criminal cases. That doesn't mean that it makes it right - but it is the most time/cost effective manner in which to handle the massive amounts of cases that each county/state has to deal with each year. There is simply not enough tax payer dollars to fund giving every criminal a jury/court trial. Not to mention - if I trial is involved - the person could walk away free - whether it be a mistrial or if the prosection does a lousy job and does not convince the court or the jury. Plea bargains are the best way to handle limited funds, overcrowding of jails/prisions and limited court staff.
Nov 13, 2008 at 3:17 p.m.
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Janesvillean, 95% of cases are therefore miscarriages of justice. The high frequency of plea bargaining does not offer legitimacy to the practice. I will continue to raise my objections to plea bargaining in the future, no matter how many pragmatists try to set me straight.
I will borrow, and alter, a quote from Barry Goldwater to make my point clear- “Extremism in the pursuit of justice is no vice, moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue”.
Nov 13, 2008 at 3:16 p.m.
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Normally - not always - but normally - sex offenders are required to be placed somewhere within the county of their most recent conviction. It is not the city that matters as much as the county. That county is responsible for the monitoring of the individual and those who pay taxes in that county pay for this guy to be watched. Although personally - I hate to see any of them released since re-offense rates are quite high.
Nov 13, 2008 at 2:03 p.m.
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billnewbie, once again, 95% of all criminal cases are concluded with a plea bargain. The point of a plea bargain is to guarantee that the person accepts some level of punishment, versus the risk of an acquittal at trial. You may think that stinks but it is standard procedure.
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As a two-time convicted offender, he would obviously be at a high risk of recidivism. But in general recidivism rates are not as high as jviers77 suggests.
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/crimoff.htm...
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Sex offenders are *typically* released into the community where they committed their crimes. This is not (I believe) law but policy. It is to prevent (say) Milwaukee from receiving all sex offenders in the state because they are unwanted by smaller communities. It is also to reintegrate them into an environment where they have social and familial bonds that may prevent them from reoffending. Obviously this is not a guarantee, but when the time sentenced is served, the state has limited options.
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I'm not sure why he ended up in Janesville as it's not like Beloit has zero housing options, but if they couldn't find someplace in Beloit to take him, someplace else in Rock County is the next logical option.
Nov 13, 2008 at 12:38 p.m.
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Ilovehockey - maybe you can give him a job also. He will probably have a lot of free time on his hands, and living around South Cherry Steet will only give him an education on other deviant behavior. He will be back behind bars soon.
Nov 13, 2008 at 12:30 p.m.
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To all wondering why he wasn't released back to Beloit...I believe part of the law says they are not allowed to return to within so many miles of the community where the offense occured. I'm not 100% sure, but I remember reading language like that in similar cases. The sad thing is, the recidivism rate for sexual offenders is something like 78%. And, those are just the ones who are caught again. There are some experts who believe sexual offenders can not be rehabilitated, that it's only a matter of time before they offend again.
Nov 13, 2008 at 11:19 a.m.
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He's smiling cause he's going to be out and he can commit the same crime again. What an asset to society. NOT!!
Nov 13, 2008 at 11:06 a.m.
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Two facts we know about Mr. Denson from the story above is that he has been found guilty of 2 sexual assaults. How many sexual assault convictions does it take for a person to attain "crap" status?
This guy's record has the rotten stench of plea bargain all over it. 7 misdemeanors dropped on prosecutor's request, 1 3rd degree sexual assault charged dropped but read into the record, not 1 but 3 3rd degree sexual assault charges to which he plead either guilty or no contest, 1 count of sexual assault of a child to which he also plead guilty or no contest, and last but not least, a charge of 2nd Degree Sexual Assault/Aided by Another (that's right folks, gang rape) dismissed (can you believe it?) but read into the record. God help us!
Nov 13, 2008 at 10:38 a.m.
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Most people don't smile in their mugshots!?!?!!
Nov 13, 2008 at 10:16 a.m.
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Hockey;Maybe seeing you think people like him are wrongly charged,you should give him & others like him,a room in your home! I'm SURE their ALL never going to offend again,so help the slugs. We'll be seeing your name in the paper as a victim down the road,bet on it.
Nov 13, 2008 at 10 a.m.
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you'd be happy to if you got away with what he did! A mere slap on the wrist, and back out to victimize someone else who may or may not come forward
Nov 13, 2008 at 9:58 a.m.
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I'm just saying, that what is listed as charges aren't always as clear cut as they seem. Like I said, I don't know him or know what the situation is, nor do I have time to CCAP every person listed, but I do know that just because someone is listed as a sex offender does not mean that they are a pedophile or rapist.
Nov 13, 2008 at 9:56 a.m.
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Once again, never seems to amaze me how people take the sides of criminals and think they deserve equal rights. Wow.
Nov 13, 2008 at 9:50 a.m.
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hockey: Do a quick search on CCAP and maybe you will change your mind. I'm pretty sure he isn't the victim of a single act of indiscretion. He is also listed as living in Beloit for his entire criminal career, for anyone that is concerned about people assuming where he is from.
Nov 13, 2008 at 9:48 a.m.
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Well i'll tell ya,ME calling this person crap,"IS" closer to what he is,then YOU throwing around the word MAN.He is far from earning that title!
Nov 13, 2008 at 9:40 a.m.
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In 1997, he would have been 16. If he had sexual contact with a 15 year old, it is considered sexual assault of a child, whether or not that 15 year old consented.
I don't know this man, I have no idea what the circumstances were, but before you start calling people "pieces of crap", maybe you should know that facts!
Nov 13, 2008 at 9:27 a.m.
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He looks pretty happy. Strange.
Nov 13, 2008 at 9:08 a.m.
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Maybe IRISH thinks this way,because their were only two families of color living in janesville 27 years ago! and the last names were not moore! Another worthless piece of crap in janesville,to go along with the punk gangs & druggies.
Nov 13, 2008 at 8:53 a.m.
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How do you know he is from Beloit? Regardless, I think they want to place a sex offender in a different environment or community so he does not have temptations or go back to his criminal ways.
Nov 13, 2008 at 8:43 a.m.
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Why wasnt he sent back to beloit? I am curious to why most sex offenders are released into Janesville rather then their home town?
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