Duluth Police Issue High-Risk Predatory Offender Notification
The Duluth Police Department issued a High-Risk Predatory Offender Notification Wednesday as a sex offender has moved into a Northland community.
The notification has been classified as a risk level three, meaning that in addition to level two notification, law enforcement may notify other members of the community whom the registrant is likely to encounter.
Here are the details on the offender, who moved into the 200 block of North 22nd Avenue West in Duluth on July 7, 2021:
- Name: Taran Lavar Buchanan
- Date Of Birth: 12/04/1977
- OID: 223876
- Race: Black
- Height: 6'0"
- Weight: 227 lbs
- Eyes: Brown
- Hair: Black
- Offense: Taran Buchanan engaged in sexual conduct with a known female child. Contact included penetration.
Duluth Police note that this individual has been convicted of Criminal Sexual Conduct or another offense that requires registration with law enforcement pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 243.166 or 243.167.
Also, he has served the sentence imposed on him by the court and is transitioning into the community. This notification is not intended to increase fear but rather raise awareness. "Law enforcement believes that an informed public is a safer public."
Releasing those who have been convicted of sexual and predatory offenses to live within communities after they have served their sentence has always been done, but since the passage of the Registration Act, law enforcement has an ability to track movement of these individuals after their initial release and keep the public informed.
Authorities reiterate that while they feel it's important to provide information about these individuals, abuse of this information to threaten, harass or intimidate a registered person is unacceptable and such acts could be charged as a crime. Furthermore, such abuses could potentially end the ability of law enforcement to provide these notifications to the public.