Seaside Park Convicted Sex Offender Arrested For Not Registering

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A 61-year-old Seaside Park man has been arrested for failure to register as a sex offender, which is a violation of the state law better known as Megan’s Law, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office announced Tuesday.

Thomas Lockhart was arrested Tuesday after a warrant was put out for his arrest. An investigation launched by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office determined that Lockhart, who was a previously convicted sex offender, was living at the Desert Palm Motel in Seaside Park without registering as a sex offender or notifying law enforcement officials, the prosecutor’s office said in a news release.

A warrant was issued for Lockhart’s arrest on April 19 before Manchester Police officers pulled Lockhart’s vehicle over on Tuesday. Lockhart was arrested and taken into custody without incident, officials said. Lockhart is being held at the Ocean County Jail while he awaits a detention hearing, officials said.

“Since 1994, Megan’s Law requires certain sex offenders to register with their local police departments whenever they move and/or change their residential address. Failure to comply with this obligation is a third-degree crime,” Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a release. “The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, working in conjunction with our local police departments, will be vigilant in making sure that individuals required to register under Megan’s Law are in compliance with their obligations.

Anyone in possession of information concerning this case, or others allegedly violating Megan’s Law requirements, are asked to contact Sergeant John Argento of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 929-2027, extension 2903. The information may be provided anonymously.