Windom man charged with failure to register, predatory offender

Feb. 12—WINDOM — A Windom man is charged with one felony count of failing to register as a predatory offender within the established 10 day time frame.

According to the law enforcement report, Rufino Felix Jr., 33, is required by Minnesota statute to register as a predatory offender. Felix completed the initial predatory offender registration paperwork, which indicated his understanding of his duties to register.

Felix allegedly signed his initials next to each requirement, including the requirement that if he lacks a primary residence, he is to report to the law enforcement authority in the area where he will be staying within 24 hours, and must continue to report to law enforcement at least once per week until he obtains a new primary address.

Felix also reportedly expressed understanding that he was required to complete and return all received Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) Predatory Offender Unit forms within 10 days, and that if he did not have a primary address, his verification forms would be sent to local law enforcement where he is to complete weekly check-ins.

According to the law enforcement report, Felix updated his registration information on Sept. 9, 2022, to include a primary address in Woodstock and reaffirmed his understanding of his registration duties. On March 16, 2023, Felix was sent a verification packet to his new Woodstock address. The packet was promptly returned to sender as undeliverable and unable to forward.

On July 17, 2023, Felix was sent a verification packet to a Luverne address. The packet was not completed nor returned to the BCA within 10 days. On Aug. 31, 2023, Felix was sent a verification packet at a 10th Street address in Windom. The packet was not completed nor returned to the BCA within 10 days.

On Nov. 13, Felix was sent a verification packet at a Third Avenue address in Windom. Four days later, on Nov. 17, 2023, Felix updated his address to "homeless in Windom." On Nov. 22, one final verification packet for Felix was sent to the Windom Police Department. The verification has not been returned to the BCA.

On Jan. 8, 2024, officers were conducting predatory offender checks in the city of Windom and noticed on the Minnesota BCA website that Felix was listed as being in noncompliance for "verification not returned."

If convicted, Felix faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, with a mandatory 366 days served, and/or a $10,000 fine.

Note: This article was written based on information reported by local law enforcement agencies. The Globe reminds readers that all individuals are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Note: The Southwest Crisis Center is available in our community to support and empower survivors of sexual and domestic violence. For questions about services or how you can help, contact the Southwest Crisis Center at 1-800-376-4311 or

mnswcc.org

.