The Daily News

A meeting held by the Richland County Sheriff's Office in Abercrombie Monday drew nearly 100 percent of the city of Galchutt's residents. The reason — the relocation of high risk sex offender, Russell Hable, to their community.

The meeting was informational in nature, where residents were shown a Powerpoint presentation on general sex offender data, statistics in the state of North Dakota and what's required of a sex offender when registering.

"We wanted to make sure they know this is serious and we keep track of these people," said Richland County Investigator Josh Beto. "It brought together the whole town so they're on the same page."

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In spite of some reassuring information from the sheriff's office, residents remained concerned about Hable's move from Colfax to Galchutt. Aimee Flaa, a mother of three who lives in town, considers herself one of them.

"It's disrupting our lives," she said.

Flaa and her husband, Mike, had made plans to build on a lot they own next door to Hable's residence. Due to his relocation, Flaa said her family is now attempting to find somewhere else to build a home.

"I just feel that it is so unfair that basically, it has to change our lives," she said.

Larry Berg, also of Galchutt, said Hable's move has stirred up an otherwise quiet town.

"You gotta give him a little bit of the benefit of the doubt," Berg said. "Still, I can't see why a person like that would not want to be living on a farm, away from anyone."

The sheriff's office reviews records on county sex offenders at least every three months, confirming that each is complying with the law by reporting any changes, such as their place of residence or employment. To date, there are 22 sex offenders and offenders against children registered in Richland County. Thirteen sex offenders live in the county and six work in the county but live elsewhere. Two offenders against children live in the county while one currently has a warrant out for his arrest.

What the public often misunderstands, Beto said, is that North Dakota law doesn't regulate where low, moderate or high risk sex offenders can live.

"Regardless of their risk level there's nothing that says they can't live within so many miles of a school," Beto said. But a sex offender's registration often prohibits them from entering school property.

Discussion also centered on community members using one another as a resource in order to stay informed and stay safe. Residents were also encouraged to contact the sheriff's office to report suspicious activity.

Hable has two criminal convictions regarding his sex offender status, both of which can be viewed in detail at www.ndsexoffender.gov. Hable is required to register with law enforcement associated with his jurisdiction of employment and residence.

Comments

-------------- wrote on Jul 2, 2009 1:17 PM:

" HEY this man has raised me and his own two kids for 7 YEARS and i am currently 18 years old. he has NEVER touched me or laid one finger on me. he is like a father to me! he's very protective of ANYONE! i would trust him with any child but i guess people who DONT KNOW HIM wouldnt. im just saying give him a chance!!! "




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something wrong wrote on Jun 24, 2009 9:50 PM:

" If you guys think this guy will change you are crazy, he is a level 3 for a reason. People that say they would trust their kids with him obviously don't care enough about their kids to risk the rest of their lives. Those things happened to me when I was little and I can promise you, you don't ever get over it!! Personally I dont believe that castration is enough. You will still have the thoughts and still have hands! Don't trust him!! "




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justwondering wrote on Jun 24, 2009 11:09 AM:

" If I was a Harley Rider, that statement would offend me. "




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Seriously wrote on Jun 23, 2009 11:17 AM:

" So as long as he rides a Harley it doesn't matter what kind of crime you do? "




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Steve from Foxhome wrote on Jun 20, 2009 5:58 PM:

" We have all had some issues, large or small. If he rides a Harley, he is all right by me!! "




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anon wrote on Jun 18, 2009 10:20 PM:

" you do a felony,you lose certain rights and privliges.move to san francisco. "




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Protective Mother wrote on Jun 18, 2009 12:36 PM:

" I am sorry, but some crimes are unforgivable. "




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Friend wrote on Jun 16, 2009 2:52 PM:

" Russell is a great guy. He did just fine with his own 2 kids. That did happen a long time ago, people DO change. You don't even know him & you have no right to treat him this way. Maybe your babysitter will decide they like your kid a little too much! Russell will to mind his own business, and I know that he didn't to Galchutt just to meet new kids. You people need to find better things to do with your life than this. Russell is a great guy, a great dad, and a great friend. "




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Castration wrote on Jun 16, 2009 1:16 PM:

" It is sad, but probably one of the best ways to prevent future incidents is castration. Harsh, probably not, and it fits the crime. These people rarely rehabilitate as shown already by this guy. It isn't if, it's when! "




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Chris wrote on Jun 16, 2009 10:02 AM:

" Annie - do you think his parents saw him act different with the 6 and 7 year old - NO - he did it when they were most vulnerable and alone. Don't think he did anything when he was playing patty-cake in the living room with people watching him. Your a fool if you think this diseased man is cured. Castration is the only cure for his illness. "




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Cass County Resident wrote on Jun 15, 2009 9:02 AM:

" I don't think you can ever be "too cautious" when it comes to your childrens safety. If it happens again, then it is too late. "




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ue8ud wrote on Jun 15, 2009 12:19 AM:

" Annie-You got to be kidding me! You would trust him anytime with your children. There is know rehabilitation for these predators and he is just waiting for the right chance to strike again. I hope that Annie is not a real person and just the child molester trying to make some good comments about himself. "




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Very Concerned Citizen wrote on Jun 14, 2009 10:20 AM:

" So Annie if he is so great get him OUT of Galchutt and move him next to you. Maybe Steve from Foxhome can help also "




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friend wrote on Jun 14, 2009 10:00 AM:

" Yes the man is a sex offender. Yes there is a chance that he will do it again. But consider this, you know what he is and there is a face to go with the term dangerous stranger when you are teaching your children to be safe. How many of us are living next door right now to someone who may also be as dangerous as this offender. They just haven't been caught yet. The unknown threats are far more dangerous than the known. "




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justwondern wrote on Jun 13, 2009 8:26 PM:

" Annie, I think you should set your goals for friendship up a notch. Heck, make it two or three. You may not have wittnessed your good friend offend, but he is a convicted sex offender of children. The worst offender in my book. Please protect your children, you are the only one that can. "




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Annie wrote on Jun 13, 2009 10:23 AM:

" I would have him move next to me any day. I am a personal friend of his and his family's. He is a really good guy and a really good friend. I would trust him with any of my children any time. I have never seen him be this way to anyone since I have known him. He is the biggest sweetheart I have ever met. "




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Richland County Resident wrote on Jun 12, 2009 3:13 PM:

" Dear Steve from Foxhome,
You must not have young children?
"As long as he behaves and stays away from young children?" He did it TWICE! A 6 year old and 7 year old AND THEN a 12 year old. If I lived in Galchutt, I wouldn't feel safe. I definitely feel for the residents of Galchutt. "




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Concerned Citizen wrote on Jun 12, 2009 1:00 PM:

" Dear Steve from Foxhome...I'm sure the friendly people in Galchutt would be happy to help him move to Foxhome :-0) "




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Anonymous wrote on Jun 12, 2009 11:23 AM:

" But...he is the HIGHEST LEVEL of SEX OFFENDER there is. He not only did it once, but twice - a 5 year span between instances....
So, when do you decide it it o.k. to risk your child's safety? "




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Richland County Resident wrote on Jun 12, 2009 11:11 AM:

" If you think these high risk sex offenders are such good people and deserve a second chance, why don't you give him a call and have him move next door to you? Hopefully...just maybe...he won't re-offend again! Do you think it's safe to wait and take that chance? A chance to ruin another innocent child's life? That's a risk that many people in Richland County don't want to take!
Thank you,
Concern Citizen "




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Anonymous wrote on Jun 12, 2009 10:32 AM:

" We'd all like to believe that deep down we're willing to give someone a 2nd chance. But he's had a 2nd chance. He's been convicted TWICE and is the highest level offender. I think it's easy to say you would give him a chance because it isn't your YOUNG children he moved next too. There's no easy solution. He has rights, nobody disputes that. But so do the kids that no longer can go outside and play alone...and so do the parents that lay awake at night in fear. "




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Chris wrote on Jun 12, 2009 10:17 AM:

" Give him the benefit of the doubt - just keep him away from children - that makes sense to me - living with fear that this guy can't be around children. Looked up what he did on the sex offender site - a 6 and 7 year old girls that were foster children of his parents - I'll take him as my neighbor any day. Benefit of doubt is out of the question when our children are involved! "




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anonymous wrote on Jun 12, 2009 9:33 AM:

" He is a HIGH RISK LIFETIME SEX OFFENDER - the HIGHEST LEVEL that there is! He did it not only once, but twice. The lives of 3 young girls will NEVER be the same! "




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Sue wrote on Jun 12, 2009 9:14 AM:

" I personally know the family and I would allow them to live next to me! "




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Steve from Foxhome wrote on Jun 12, 2009 8:01 AM:

" I say give the guy a chance. Foxhome residents are fair; we would welcome him as long as he behaved and stayed away from children. "




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