Hartley man charged with violating sex offenders' register

Hartley, Iowa – A Hartley man was arrested for violating the Hartley sex offender registry.

According to a criminal complaint filed by the county sheriff's office with the O'Brien County Clerk of Court's office, 24-year-old Robert Fortin of Hartley is accused of failing to notify the sheriff's office of changes in his status. He was arrested on Wednesday, August 21.

In his statement, the deputy says Fortin is a registered sex offender in the state of Iowa and failed to notify the sheriff's office of a change in his employment within five business days. The deputy says Fortin also failed to notify a change in his residence within five business days. The deputy says Fortin also has a prior conviction for the same charge.

Fortin was charged with violating the sex offender registry, second or subsequent offense, a Class D felony. If convicted, Fortin faces up to five years in prison.

Fortin is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing on this charge on September 11.

At last report, Fortin remained in the O'Brien County Jail in Primghar without posting bail.