Level 3 Sex Offender Takes Residence in Kennewick

Kennewick police have notified the community that a potentially dangerous sex offender has settled into a residence on Garfield St.

25-year-old Robert Lane Hammerly is now reported to be living in the 100 block of North Garfield St. in Kennewick.   The 5' 11" brown haired man was convicted of 2009 charges of Child Molestation and Communication with a Minor for Immoral Purposes in Benton County.  He is currently under Department of Corrections (DOC) monitoring and supervision.

  Newstalk 870 reported back in May Hammerly caused a stir because he was found be "squatting" in the Kamiakin Apartments on North Arthur Street in Kennewick earlier this year.   Staying with an acquaintance,  he was in violation of the terms of his release because the apartments are across the street from Kamiakin High School, and less than 100 feet from a bus stop that services Vista Elementary school.

Kennewick police say once sex offenders have satisfied the conditions of their sentence and parole and other stipulations, they have to legally be released.   Officials say all they can do it notify the public, and keep the offenders under surveillance.  Kennewick has an officer whose sole job is to monitor the activities and check-ins of paroled sex offenders.

The second Wednesday of each month, Kennewick police hold public meetings at the Police Station at 211 West 6th Ave. starting at 6pm, and provide the latest updates and information to the public, as to the latest whereabouts and activities of convicted sex offenders who are living in the community.  The public is strongly encourage to attend these meetings.

Police also say it's often difficult to track the movements of these offenders, as sometimes they are officially listed as "transients."  Sex offenders are required to register any and every time they move, or change addresses.   Sometimes, they cannot find housing upon their release and literally live "off the land" - hence, they are listed as transients or homeless. Earlier this year, Hammerly was one of those listed as a "transient."