A Level 3 sex offender who moved to Austin on Nov. 11 may be moving out of town soon.

Rex Allen Tande, 52, is living in the 300 block of Third Avenue NW, according to the Austin Police Department. His classification as a Level 3 sex offender means he has the highest likelihood of reoffending. According to police, he has targeted 8- to 12-year-old girls who were known to him.

Mark Bliven, director of the state community notification program, spoke at a meeting Thursday night to notify the public about Tande and his background. Fewer than 10 people, including several with ties to local law enforcement, attended the meeting.

“An important point about (Tande) is he does have connections to the Austin area … but he has now indicated he might be leaving Austin,” Bliven said at Thursday’s meeting.

However, because of Tande’s social connection to Austin, it is still important for the community to know about him even if he does move away, Bliven said.

Tande moved to Austin last month after being released from a Wisconsin state prison where he completed his 15-year sentence. According to Monroe County, Wis., court administration, Tande was convicted of one count first-degree sexual assault of a child in 1996. Another count of first-degree sexual assault of a child was dismissed. The conviction stemmed from his sexual abuse of a 9-year-old girl within a two-year span.

Bliven said Tande previously served three years in prison after being convicted in Clark County, Wis., in 1988 and 1989 for first- and second-degree criminal sexual conduct.

According to an Austin Police Department fact sheet, Tande’s sexual contact with the girls included penetration and fondling.

As a Level 3 offender, Tande must keep law enforcement officials updated of his address, work or school and the car he is driving. He must also update police if he dramatically alters his appearance.

Bliven said there are 108 registered predatory offenders in Mower County, although only a small percentage are classified as high-risk.

Bliven warned parents to always be watchful of their children, but especially if their children begin associating with Tande.

“At least protect those kids that you associate with,” Bliven said. “He shouldn’t be associating with them at all. He’s never to be trusted in situations (with children).”

Tande is not legally bound from associating with children, but Bliven said he shouldn’t be because of his criminal history. Tande does not have restrictions as to how closely he can reside to schools, parks or day cares. His residence is within three blocks of Pacelli elementary and high schools and Austin High School.

Proximity to places where children congregate usually doesn’t affect whether an offender will commit a sexual crime, Bliven said.

“It has nothing to do with their proximity to a school or day care,” he said. “People forget that sex offenders can walk, they can run, they can ride bike, they can drive. They can get anywhere.”

Austin Police Chief Brian Krueger said residents should inform law enforcement immediately if they witness Tande engaging in any kind of suspicious behavior.

“We would want to know immediately and we’ll investigate it,” Krueger said. “If it’s a crime, we’ll move it to the court system.

“An informed, educated community makes it safer for everyone here in Austin.”