CLEARFIELD – A Clearfield man accused of failing to update his address as required by Megan’s Law waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday during Centralized Court at the Clearfield County Jail.
Henry Lee Cutler, 24, of Clearfield has been charged with failure to register with the Pennsylvania State Police and failure to verify address/be photographed. He is currently incarcerated in lieu of $100,000 bail.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Clearfield Borough police received an investigation request regarding Cutler from the PSP Megan’s Law section. Police indicated that Cutler is classified as a Tier 2 Megan’s Law offender.
On Sept. 14, 2014, Cutler registered his address as 117 Smith St., Clearfield Borough. However, the Megan’s Law section, received information that Cutler had moved to Ohio. Under Megan’s Law, Cutler is required to update any change of address within three days.
On Nov. 3, 2014, police checked Cutler’s Clearfield address and determined it was vacant. Police noted in the affidavit that Cutler is currently on probation in Clearfield County and failed to appear for a scheduled meeting with his probation officer in October.
Police learned that Cutler never provided a change in address to his probation officer. Also, police learned Cutler had requested for his probation to be transferred over to West Virginia, which was denied.
On Nov. 10, 2014, police contacted Cutler by phone at a number provided to the Megan’s Law section on Aug. 12, 2014. Upon speaking with Cutler, police learned that he was staying in Weirton, W.Va.
Police advised Cutler that he had to comply with Megan’s Law by updating his address. Cutler told police that he was still in the process of moving. When confronted about his residence being vacant in Clearfield, Cutler didn’t respond and ended the call.
Shortly after hanging up, Cutler called back police and stated he’d provided the wrong address. He said he was currently living in Columbus, Ohio. Cutler advised police he was married and his wife provided a new phone number.
Police contacted the initial number provided for Cutler to the Megan’s Law section. However, police found it had been changed/disconnected or wasn’t any longer in service.
Police noted in the affidavit that Cutler had a prior conviction on Dec. 5, 2013. As of Nov. 10, 2014, police said Cutler hadn’t appeared at an approved Megan’s Law registration site to provide a current address.
On Nov. 11, 2014, police obtained a warrant for Cutler’s arrest. On Jan. 22, the U.S. Marshals Service in West Virginia received information that Cutler may be at a residence in Weirton, W.Va., according to a previously published press release from Clearfield County District Attorney William A. Shaw Jr.
Upon entering the residence, marshals were advised Cutler wasn’t there. However, a resident later recanted that Cutler was upstairs and marshals initiated a search of the residence. Cutler, who was hiding in the attic, fell through the ceiling, at which point he was taken into custody in West Virginia.