The Duluth Police Department has issued a notification to the community regarding the release of a high-risk predatory offender, following the guidelines of Minnesota Statutes 244.052 and 253D, as part of their duty to enhance public safety and awareness. According to the official notice, Taran Lavar Buchanan will be living on the 300 block of North Central Avenue, Duluth, MN 55807, following his release on June 18, 2024.
Buchanan, born December 4, 1977, with an OID number of 223876, was convicted of Criminal Sexual Conduct involving sexual contact, which included penetration, with a known female child. The Duluth Police Department has shared that Buchanan used affection to gain and subsequently exploit unmonitored access with the victim. While the police department may offer guidance on personal safety, the agency is prohibited from restricting the movements of Buchanan concerning his residence, employment, or education.
This announcement by law enforcement is not an endeavor to induce fear among the community members, but rather to inform, as they believe "an informed public is a safer public." Furthermore, it is underscored that while the individual has completed their court-imposed sentence and is transitioning back into the community, residents are reminded that it is unlawful to use this information to threaten, harass, or intimidate Buchanan or other registered offenders, as this could potentially terminate law enforcement's capacity to issue such notifications.
The Duluth Police Department, reachable at 218-730-5400, stands ready to provide information on personal safety measures. For reporting any criminal activity by Buchanan or other individuals, community members should contact 911. The supervising agent, Matt Shere, can also be reached at 218-733-2850 for related inquiries. The public is encouraged to utilize these resources responsibly, in order to maintain the delicate balance between community awareness and the rights of the released individual.
