Morris Sex Offender Faces Decade in Prison For Not Making Whereabouts Known

A Morristown man and sex offender convicted twice in four years for separate crimes faces another decade in prison after not registering his new address despite being under lifetime supervision.

Lester Joy, 34, pleaded guilty in Connecticut federal court Monday, United States Attorney Deirdre Daly announced.

In October 2002, the former Morristown resident was convicted in New Jersey of sexual assault in the second degree, endangering the welfare of a child in the third degree and theft in the third degree. He was sentenced to three years in prison, lifetime community supervision, and lifetime registration as a sex offender.

Less than four years later, Joy was again convicted, this time in New York on three counts of rape in the third degree, two counts of criminal sexual acts in the third degree, and two counts of disseminating indecent material to a minor. The charges came after Joy lured Hampton Bays girl Stephanie Caruso, then 17, from her home in Jan. 2005.

Before Joy was released from prison in 2013, he was informed of his registration obligations and signed forms acknowledging such for both New York and New Jersey, Daly said.

Joy was released from Morris County Correctional Facility on Nov. 13, 2013, and moved to Connecticut without registering in New Jersey or New York. Joy was subsequently arrested in New Haven on March 16, 2014, and has been detained ever since, Daly said.

The sex offender will be sentenced on May 18, 2015 and faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

Subscribe to a free email newsletter and breaking news alerts by clicking on the Patch town name:
Long Valley • Mendham-Chester • Morristown • Parsippany • Hackettstown • Morris Township • Jefferson • Hopatcong-Sparta • East Hanover-Florham Park • Madison • Chatham • Montville • Tri-Boro