Crime & Safety

Manchester Man Accused Of Failing To Register As Sex Offender

Ralph R. Downey, 21, failed to update his address with the local police department as required, the prosecutor's office said.

Ralph R. Downey, 21, has been charged with failing to register as a sex offender with the Manchester Township Police Department, the prosecutor said.
Ralph R. Downey, 21, has been charged with failing to register as a sex offender with the Manchester Township Police Department, the prosecutor said. (Ocean County Corrections website)

MANCHESTER, NJ — A Manchester Township man has been charged with failure to register as a sex offender, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

Ralph Downey, Jr., 21, of Manchester, was arrested Tuesday by officers of the Manchester Township Police Department and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Megan’s Law Unit, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Under Megan's Law, certain sex offenders are required to register with the local police department when they move into and out of a town, change their address or change their place of employment, Billhimer said. Some are required to check in annually, while others are required to check in every three months.

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Downey failed to meet his annual registration requirement with any law enforcement agencies, Billhimer said. He is being held at the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Anyone with information regarding this case — or others violating Megan’s Law requirements — should contact Sgt. John Argento of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-929-2027, extension 2903. The information may be provided anonymously.

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For further information, please visit the NJ State Police Sex Offender Internet Registry.

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