A Level 3 sex offender has moved to Austin, Mower County Sheriff Terese Amazi reported Friday.

Shannon Michael Benson, 29, resides in the 1500 block of West Oakland Avenue and registered as a sex offender when he moved.

Benson has been convicted of sex crimes in both Rochester and St. Peter, Minn. as a juvenile and later as an adult.

A Level 3 sex offender is defined as an offender who is determined to be of high risk of re-offending.

According to a press release from the Austin Police Department, Benson has a history of “engaging in sexual contact with victims (juvenile males and females). Contact has included fondling, exposure and penetration. Offender has used manipulation and force to gain compliance. Offender was known to victims.”

Amazi said local law enforcement was notified of his residency in Austin only after he moved here, or “self-reporting,” she explained. His date of address change was listed as Nov. 9.

The sheriff emphasized that citizens should not “focus on his picture,” but “focus on the safety of your children. It’s good to review your safety procedure with your children.”

Benson is not on probation, nor is he under any restrictions. He does not have any pending charges related to his previous convictions, Amazi said, and he has served sentences imposed on him by the court. She said he has no connections to Austin and has not lived here before.

Law enforcement has notified daycares, schools and other establishments of his residence.

Amazi said there are no laws in Minnesota restricting how far a Level 3 sex offender must reside in proximity to a daycare, school or other facility. The APD and Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) “may not direct where the offender does or does not reside, nor can these agencies direct where he/she works or goes to school,” the release stated.

Benson is the only Level 3 sex offender residing in Austin, Amazi said. According to the DOC, he is also the only Level 3 offender living in Mower County as well.

For more information, visit www.corr.state.mn.us.