The Duluth Police Department has issued a high-risk predatory offender notification regarding the release of Willie James Vaughn-Bey into the community. Vaughn-Bey, who was born on December 16, 1961, is described as a black male, 5’8” in height, weighing 184 lbs, with brown eyes and black hair. According to the City of Duluth, he has a history of engaging in sexual contact, involving both touch and penetration, against an adult woman and a known female teenager.
The police department’s release stated that Vaughn-Bey "accessed the adult victim by befriending her in a public space and accepting a ride home from her. Force was used to maintain control." Furthermore, he exploited a "relationship of trust" to attain unmonitored contact with the teenage victim, employing coercion and manipulation to maintain control. The police emphasize that the purpose of this notification is to enhance public safety and not to incite fear among citizens.
As required by Minnesota Statutes 244.052 and 253D, the Duluth Police Department believes that informing the public of Vaughn-Bey's release from prison will help to raise awareness and contribute to the community's safety. They have clarified that Vaughn-Bey has served his court-imposed sentence and is now transitioning back into society.
The notification from the Duluth Police Department further explains that the Community Notification Act allows law enforcement to share information about certain released offenders. The act aims to enable communities to be informed and, as a result, to be safer. The department cautions against using the information "to threaten, harass or intimidate a registered person," warning that such actions could be charged as a crime and potentially end the ability of law enforcement to provide these notifications, as per the City of Duluth.
The police offer reassurance that they are available to provide information on personal safety and encourage the public to report any criminal activity by calling 911. They seek to maintain a detailed record of the movements of registered individuals like Vaughn-Bey, improving their capability to track such high-risk offenders post-release. The Duluth Police Department can be reached at 218-730-5400 for further inquiries or concerns regarding the matter.
