Date: 07-03-2025

Case Style:

United States of America v. Christopher Parrish

Case Number: 25-CR-24

Judge: Matthew J. Kacsmaryk

Court: United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas (Potter County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: United States District Attorney's Office in Amarillo

Defendant's Attorney: Natalie Archer

Description: Amarillo, Texas criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.

The federal law concerning Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, primarily governed by
18 U.S.C. § 2250, focuses on individuals required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).

Key Points:


Who is required to register: Individuals convicted of certain sex offenses under federal, state, tribal, or military law are generally subject to SORNA registration requirements.

What failure to register entails: This includes knowingly failing to register initially, or failing to update
registration information as required by SORNA. This might encompass missing deadlines, providing false information, or failing to report changes in residence, employment, or school attendance.

How failure to register becomes a federal offense: For state-convicted sex offenders, it's a federal offense if they knowingly fail to register and engage in interstate travel, foreign travel, or reside in Indian country. Additionally, prior conviction of a federal qualifying offense also triggers the federal statute.

Penalties:

Up to 10 years in prison: For failing to register or update registration as required.

Fines: Up to $250,000.

Up to 30 years in prison: If a failure to register is also accompanied by a federal crime of violence.

Interstate Travel: SORNA mandates that registered sex offenders notify authorities of any change of residence, including interstate travel. Failure to do so can result in serious legal consequences.

Compliance: Sex offenders must register in each jurisdiction where they reside, work, or attend school. Regular in-person verification and updating of information are also required, with frequency depending on the offender's tier level.

Affirmative Defense: In a prosecution for failure to register, an affirmative defense may be available if uncontrollable circumstances prevented compliance, and the individual complied as soon as those circumstances ended.

Important Note: Sex offender registration laws are complex and can vary between states and jurisdictions. It's critical for individuals subject to SORNA to understand and comply with all registration requirements to avoid facing severe legal consequences.

Outcome: 07/03/2025 17 NOTICE OF HEARING as to Christopher Parrish Final Hearing re Revocation of Supervised Release RESET for 12/4/2025 @ 10:00 AM in US Courthouse, Courtroom 1st Floor, 205 S. E. 5th Ave., Amarillo, TX 79101-1559 before Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk. (vls) (Entered: 07/03/2025)
07/03/2025 18 First MOTION to Continue Revocation Hearing and Associated Deadlines filed by Christopher Parrish (Archer, Natalie) (Entered: 07/03/2025)

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

Comments: