Suspect Fell Through Holes In Sex Offender Registration

SAN DIEGO -Authorities say the sex offender charged with killing a San Diego teen initially eluded suspicion in her disappearance because he was registered on California’s sex crimes database as living in a neighboring county.

Investigators in Riverside County say convicted child molester John Albert Gardner III similarly wasn’t a suspect in last year’s disappearance of a 14-year-old girl and an attack on another teen.

That’s because at the time Gardner was registered in San Diego County.

Officials said Thursday the discrepancies show how Gardner could apparently comply with California’s offender registry law and still avoid suspicion.

Gardner has pleaded not guilty to murdering 17-year-old Chelsea King.