Dozens of 14,000 on Pa. Megan’s Law registry have arrest warrants

A man who held police at bay over the weekend in Trenton, N.J., some two weeks after killing two people was wanted in Pennsylvania for failure to register under Megan’s Law. There are dozens of others “wanted” under Megan’s Law in Pennsylvania.

Gerald Tyrone Murphy had been marked as “absconded” since January 2011 on the Pennsylvania Megan’s Law Registry.

Pennsylvania State Police spokesman Adam Reed says there are nearly 14,000 people registered under Megan’s Law as sex offenders.

“Right now we have 58 on our most wanted list,” Reed said. “That means we are currently seeking 58 individuals for failure to register under the Megan’s Law requirements.”

An additional 576 are listed as “non-compliant,” which could mean an arrest warrant is coming.

Reed says once convicted of a Megan’s Law violation, violators must update everything from their address to their job to the license plate on their vehicles.

“Anytime new information is learned that makes an individual out of compliance we do file charges,” he said, “and an active arrest warrant is issued and they can be arrested on the spot.”

Murphy was shot by police as they stormed the home he had been holed up in, as officers moved in worried that Murphy could kill his hostages.  New Jersey State Police Superintendent Rick Fuentes said Murphy later died of his injuries.