Richard Dale Turner, 44, from Julian, West Virginia, has been sentenced to two years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for failing to update his sex offender registration as required by federal law. The sentencing took place on March 2, 2026.
Court records show that Turner was previously convicted of third-degree sexual assault in Mason County Circuit Court on March 8, 2016. Due to this conviction, he is required to register as a sex offender. Authorities stated that Turner did not report a change in employment after leaving a trucking job on January 3, 2025. He also failed to appear at a scheduled court date on June 23, 2025, leading to the issuance of an arrest warrant.
Law enforcement officers located and arrested Turner in Santa Rosa County, Florida, on August 15, 2025. Officials said Turner did not register as a sex offender in Florida or notify West Virginia authorities about his interstate travel.
United States Attorney Moore Capito announced the sentence and recognized the United States Marshals Service for their investigative efforts.
United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin handed down the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan T. Storage prosecuted the case.
“SORNA is part of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 and provides a comprehensive set of minimum standards for sex offender registration and notification in the United States. SORNA seeks to strengthen the nationwide network of sex offender registration and notification programs, in part by requiring registered sex offenders to register and keep their registration current in each jurisdiction in which they reside, work, or go to school,” according to information provided by officials.
Additional details about this case can be found through PACER by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-168.
