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Highlands Today

Man charged with failing to register as sex offender

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By BRAD DICKERSON

Highlands Today

Published: November 18, 2009

SEBRING - A traffic stop on Saturday led to a former Connecticut resident being charged with failure to register as a sex offender, a third-degree felony.

Gerardo A. Matos, 26, of 1900 Melady Ave., Sebring, was also charged with driving while license is suspended, first offense. He was released from the Highlands County Jail Monday on a $25,250 bond.

Highlands County Sheriff's Deputy Justin Clemmons stopped the 2005 Ford SUV Matos was driving after it was clocked on Sparta Road going 51 in a 45 miles per hour zone, according to the arrest report.

A computer search showed Matos did not have a valid driver's license and is a registered sex offender out of Connecticut for a 2002 conviction.

Matos reportedly told Clemmons he had been living in Avon Park for four months with his girlfriend. The information was confirmed and a computer check on the Internet showed Matos did not register as a sex offender in the state of Florida, the report stated.

Highlands Today reporter Brad Dickerson can be reached at (863) 386-5838 or bdickerson@highlandstoday.com

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