Sexual predator moving to Bemidji

BEMIDJI -- The Bemidji Police Department has issued a notification that a level three sex offender will be moving to the 300 block of Irvine Avenue in Bemidji.

Michael Warren Smith, 28, has a history of engaging in sexual contact with male and female victims ages 2-5. Smith's contact included fondling and penetration, and he was known to his victims.

Smith was charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct in 2005 while living in Bemidji. He was sentenced to confinement in Lino Lakes. Smith will be moving to Bemidji on Wednesday.

The Bemidji Police Department releases information on Smith pursuant to Minnesota Statute 244.052. Smith is not wanted by the police and has served the sentence imposed on him by the court.

There are four level three sex offenders presently living in Beltrami County: two live in Ponemah, one in Red Lake and one in Bemidji on Bardwell Drive NE. There are 329 level three predatory offenders in Minnesota; current addresses for three people are unknown.

The three levels of offenders are based on the individual's risk to reoffend. Level one carries a lower risk to the public, level two is moderate and three is higher. Additional information on sexual predators can be found at http://www.doc.state.mn.us.