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Sex offender released Tuesday
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MONROE - The Monroe Police Department has announced that a sex offender will be released into the community Tuesday.

Benjamin Hale, 28, will live at 1317 17th St. and will be under 24-hour electric monitoring, according to Monroe Police Chief Fred Kelley.

Hale was convicted in 2000 of possession of child pornography, taking sexual photos of teenage female acquaintances and exposing himself to a teenage acquaintance.

Hale is described as a white male, 5-feet, 6-inches tall and weighing 180 pounds. He has brown hair and green eyes.

Kelley said Hale has served his sentence and is not wanted by the police.

However, Hale is not allowed to contact his victim or have unapproved meetings with minors. In addition, he can't go to bars or liquor stores, drink alcohol or use illegal drugs.

If he violates any of the rules, he will be taken into custody and placed in jail while the violation is investigated, Kelley added.

Anyone who witnesses a violation by Hale should contact the police at 329-2400 or report the violations to any other law enforcement agency.

Hale must register as a sex offender and will be escorted to register with the Monroe Police Department upon his release.

In the past, the police department has held a community notification meeting when it announced a sex offender was being released. Kelley said Hale was not violent, and he plans to announce the release to residents in the immediate area and through The Monroe Times.

The department will notify people who live one block in each direction of Hale's address that Hale will be released. Officers plan to distribute fliers with information about Hale, his description and a photo to everyone who lives in the immediate area.

Kelley said people are forbidden from harassing Hale.