INSIDE EDITION INVESTIGATES:

SEX OFFENDERS RELEASED FROM PRISON EARLY DUE TO COVID-19 CONCERNS 

AN INSIDE EDITION INVESTIGATION FINDS SOME SEX OFFENDERS WERE MOVED TO HOTELS, OTHERS FAILED TO REGISTER WITH POLICE AFTER EARLY DISSMISAL FROM JAIL 

 

Check local listings at www.insideedition.com

PLEASE MENTION AIR DATE ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15^th

VIDEO LINK (MUST CREDIT INSIDE EDITION AND LINK BACK): 

https://ietv.co/32vSjcu  

New York, NY – September 15, 2020 – The fear that COVID-19 could spread quickly through prisons has led authorities across the country to release hundreds of non-violent inmates early. In an exclusive airing on Tuesday, INSIDE EDITION discovers some of the released felons are actually potentially dangerous sex offenders, and finds them living in some unexpected places.

On Manhattan’s Upper West Side, eighteen sex offenders, including several child rapists, were moved into a boutique hotel due to concerns of COVID-19 at a homeless shelter. The hotel is just blocks away from a playground.  

Outside of Rochester, New York, several child molesters were moved from jail to a local Holiday Inn. The local Police Chief says he was never notified.  

“I was pretty shocked,” Greece, New York Police Chief Patrick Phalen told INSIDE EDITION. “They were released into my neighborhood and I wasn’t notified. I was concerned for my family, so I can imagine everybody else was too.” 

After intense outrage from the community, the Department of Corrections moved the sex offenders out of the Holiday Inn.  

INSIDE EDITION tracked down Jose Luis Flecha, one of the released sex offenders, to a nearby apartment building. Flecha was convicted of raping two children, and as a level 3 sex offender, he’s deemed to have a high risk to reoffend.   

INSIDE EDITION observed Flecha in his new neighborhood, running errands, hauling furniture and working at a shuttered house in Rochester.  

When INSIDE EDITION’s Investigative Producer Charlie McLravy attempted to speak with him, Flecha responded, “leave me alone.” 

In Monmouth County, NJ, Larry Maurice Nicholson, a rapist and convicted murderer, was also released in March due to concerns over COVID-19. Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramaccioni tried to stop his early release.  

“We are arguing that Larry Nicholson poses a risk to the community,” Gramaccioni told INSIDE EDITION.  

By law, Nicholson is required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. After his early release, however, Nicholson went off the grid, failing to register his new address. 

INSIDE EDITION found him at a home in Asbury Park, NJ, where he routinely strolls the neighborhood. 

When asked why he isn’t registered as a sex offender, Nicholson told INSIDE EDITION Investigative Producer Charlie McLravy, “I did register,” and claimed he was registered in Asbury Park.  

“Some people feel you might still be a danger to the community, what do you have to say about that?” asked McLravy.  

“I have nothing to say to you,” said Nicholson.  

After INSIDE EDITION alerted local authorities, Nicholson was charged for failing to register as a sex offender. He was later released pending grand jury review.   

For Inside Edition’s full report, tune in on Tuesday, September 15^th. Check local listings for times and stations in your area.

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