A Washington man has plead guilty to lesser charges for registration violation of the sex offender registry. 

According to court records, 36-year old Eric J. Ryan took employment in Louisa County and in March failed to make the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office aware of the change in employment in the required time. Per Iowa Code, a sex offender shall, within five business days of changing a residence, employment, appear in person to notify the sheriff of each county where a change has occurred. 

Court documents outline that Ryan has been convicted of violating the sex offender registry requirements three times in the past four years. Ryan was found guilty by jury in 2020 of two counts of indecent contact with a child, aggravated misdemeanors. The alleged incidents happened in 2014 and 2017 with a female victim under 13-years old. 

The arranged plea agreement is for the lesser charge of a serious misdemeanor with 180 days in jail time, two years probation, and a fine of $1,000. The trial was held in Wapello at the Louisa County Courthouse on August 12th.