Petaluma Sex Offender Arrested For Failing To Register: Police

PETALUMA, CA — A 65-year-old Petaluma resident who was convicted of sexual battery in 1989 was recently arrested by Petaluma police on suspicion of failing to comply with the requirements of the California Sex Offender Registration Act. Dieter Demolski was arrested the morning of June 27 and is facing a second charge on suspicion of violating his probation when he failed to register, according to Detective John Silva of the Petaluma Police Department.

Under California law, Demolski and other convicted sex offenders are required to register each year but this year, Demolski did not, Silva said.

"Since 1989, Demolski has registered no less than 100 previous occasions, which demonstrates he is aware of his requirements to register including time frames," Silva said Friday in a news release. "This is Demolski’s third arrest for failing to register in Sonoma County since 2007."

Silva said Petaluma Police Department detectives monitor and manage approximately 70 registered sex offenders within the city of Petaluma's jurisdiction.

"It is our highest priority to continue to enforce the terms and conditions of the [California Sex Offender Registration] Act to ensure the safety of our community to the best of our ability," Silva said. "Our goal is to make sure that the tragedy of what happened to Polly Klaas never happens again."

According to Petaluma police:

Every person who is required by this Act to register as a sexual offender is explained the terms and conditions he/she must obey each time they register. They are required to read and initial all conditions of their registration requirements. The convicted sexual offenders are also given the terms and conditions listed in California Penal Code Section 290 listing every situation they must notify and update their sexual registration or be subject to arrest. Some of those conditions are; they must register within 5 working days prior or after their birthday; they must register within 5 working days upon coming into, or when changing their address within the city; if they are residing at a residence and become transient, they have 5 working days to register within the jurisdiction they are psychically present as a transient; If they are transient, they must register in person no less than once every 30 days; If they move out of the city or state, they must inform the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the place where they were physically present as a transient or resident within 5 working day before or after leaving; If they move outside California they are required by federal law to register in the new state within 3 working days; they must submit DNA samples, as well as fingerprints and full palm prints.

Registered sex offenders in Petaluma can be searched at Meganslaw.ca.gov.

"Please remember that Megan’s Law website is made available solely to protect the public," Silva said. "Anyone who uses this information to commit a crime or to harass an offender or his or her family is subject to criminal prosecution and civil liability."