John L. Woska - Level 3 - Haverstraw, NY
Sex offender back in Haverstraw By JAMES WALSH THE JOURNAL NEWS (Original publication: February 1, 2007) HAVERSTRAW - Families of North Rockland school district students are being notified today that a high-risk, repeat sex offender is back in town. John L. Woska, 50, has moved back to the Mazza-Leone Trailer Park on Route 202 where he lived before being sentenced to seven years in prison after a conviction in 2000. North Rockland Superintendent of Schools Brian Monahan authorized sending notifications of Woska's presence home with district students. The notifications included a mug shot of Woska and information about his physical description. Monahan's office was told of Woska's status after the Haverstraw town police were notified by the state's Division of Criminal Justice Services. Although police departments are not permitted to release information about sex offenders directly to the public, they are authorized to inform schools, libraries and day care centers. They are also allowed to inform any other organizations that work with children or with any of the offender's potentially targeted groups. The state's Sex Offender Registry has more than 20,000 names and addresses of people convicted of sex crimes. Woska's designation as a Level 3 offender means he's considered to be at a high risk to repeat his criminal behavior. His 2000 conviction was for sexually abusing a 10-year-old girl. Woska was released from the medium security Orleans Correctional Facility on Jan. 29, according to the state Department of Correctional Services. Level 3 offenders, such as Woska, remain in the state's registry for life. They must report to the police every three months. The police can photograph them annually. The police advisory of Woska's release and about his address, includes a cautionary note: "Any one who uses this information to injure, harass, or commit a crime against any person may be subject to criminal prosecution." Woska Reach James Walsh at jawalsh@lohud.com or 845-578-2445. http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070201/NEWS03/702010374