NEWS

Sex offender arrested for reported release violations

Andrea Fisher-Nitschke

A Great Falls man who received a deferred sentence for inappropriately touching a young boy was arrested for allegedly violating the terms of his release. Lupe James Barron made his initial court appearance Monday.

Barron received a three-year deferred sentence for criminal endangerment in February. Barron admitted to touching the 11-year-old male victim in a sexual way at his change of plea hearing.

His plea deal and sentence required that he register as a Tier 2 sex offender, meaning he was evaluated to have a moderate risk to re-offend, and that he complete both phases of sex offender treatment.

Montana Adult Probation and Parole reported that Barron had not reported to them since May 21, failed to keep his sex offender registration current and never started his sex offender treatment.

They requested bail be set at $75,000, which District Judge Dirk Sandefur granted.