By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Rowan County authorities say an Oregon man who recently moved back to this area failed to notify officials that he is a registered sex offender.

Rodney Edward Williams, 31, of the 200 block of North Oakhurst Drive, was charged with felony failure to register as a sex offender.

A Rowan detective received information that Williams was living at the Oakhurst Drive location and checked the registry. According to Rowan officials, Williams was living in Brunswick County on Dec. 18, 2009, and moved to Linn, Oregon, on Aug. 20, 2010.

Officials say the detective went to the home Jan. 17 and found Williams on the front porch. Williams told the detective he moved to North Carolina in February 2016 when his mother died. He said a North Caroina state trooper told him he didn’t have to register, but Rowan officials say they don’t believe Williams’ story.

In 2009, Williams was convicted of sex crimes in Lebanon, Oregon. The victim in that case was 15 years old.

A person on the sex offender registry must either appear in person or submit a written notification of an address change within three business days of any change, Capt. John Sifford said.

Williams remains in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $10,000 secured bond.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.