ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – One man is trying to clear his name from wrongdoing after being unexpectedly arrested.
Curtis Wilson, 55, was arrested in February after he was accused of following a girl near an elementary school in St. Ann.
The investigation included accusations that Wilson was taking photos of the girl. That investigation concluded this month with no charges against Wilson related to stalking or harassment.
“I just want people to know I did not stalk anybody,” Wilson said. “My case is closed.”
The case did lead to two misdemeanor charges related to Wilson’s status as a registered sex offender. He states those came from an old offense more than 30 years ago when he was in high school and had sex with another student, who was a minor.
“Is it a death sentence?” he asked. “It shouldn’t be.”
His status means Wilson is prohibited from being within 500 feet of a school. The investigation in February found he had been on school property.
Wilson admits he committed a violation, saying he took photos of the school he attended as a child for an upcoming documentary about his life. He added that the photos were taken on a weekend when no children were present.
As a result of the violation, Wilson entered guilty pleas to two misdemeanors related to being on school property.
The February investigation also led to an accusation that Wilson failed to properly register as a sex offender. That accusation did not result in a criminal charge.
A spokesperson from the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office said Wilson’s defense counsel submitted an affidavit with new evidence that cast reasonable doubt on that charge and added Wilson is now compliant.
Wilson was jailed in February while the investigation unfolded, and believes police made a rush to judgment. The St. Ann Police Department has insisted they take these types of cases very seriously, especially when a child is making the accusation.
The department adds their investigation led to evidence a registered sex offender was violating the terms of their conditions.
Wilson is now working to have his name removed from the sex offender registry as he believes the list can be misleading.
“I’m going to do everything I can with me and my lawyers to see if we can make this work,” he said.
