INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) — Anthony Carmack has been on Indiana's sex offender registry for more than 5 years.
But that didn't stop him from advertising babysitting services on an Anderson-based Facebook page, police say.
He was convicted in Madison County of child exploitation and possession of child pornography in 2012, our news-gathering partner News and Tribune reported. He was entered into the state's public registry in August 2013.
Once the Madison County Sheriff's Office and State Sen. Frank Mrvan learned of the ad, they discussed a change in state law.
Madison County Sheriff Scott Mellinger told the News and Tribune that he was disturbed when he discovered the state has no prohibition against sex offenders advertising to provide child care.
"When it does happen, we want to put a stop to it," he said. "There was a loophole in Indiana law."
In response, Mrvan authored Senate Bill 258. The bill would prohibit a sexually violent predator or offender from working as a babysitter or child care provider. If caught, the person could be charged with a Level 6 felony, which carries a prison sentence of six months to two and a half years, The News and Tribune reported.
Current restrictions include barring sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of a school, park or youth program center. A sexually violent offender also cannot work on school property, at a youth center or a public park.
Carmack was sentenced to six years with three suspended, for child exploitation and three years, all suspended, for possession of child pornography, according to the News and Tribune.
Authorities found nearly 1,000 images including 270 of prepubescent children on his home computer.
He was released from prison in November 2017.
