SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- Neighbors are concerned after they say a registered sex offender moved into their Rancho Bernardo community, just feet away from an elementary school playground.
Anthony James Morgan, 32, was convicted of possession of child pornography and lewd and lascivious acts with a child in Tennessee in 2013.
Neighbors say they became concerned after Morgan moved into a townhouse in their neighborhood weeks ago.
According to records on the Megan’s Law website, Morgan lives on the 17000 block of Caminito Baya, about 100 feet away from a playground at Westwood Elementary School.
According to the Safe Task Force, which monitors local sex offenders, Morgan’s living situation is legal because of the California Supreme Court.
In 2015, the court tossed out blanket restrictions on where sex offenders may live. The ruling came after sex offenders said the restrictions made finding housing impossible for them. Authorities say while probation or parole agents can implement living restrictions, due to the fact that Morgan is no longer on parole or probation, he is now allowed to live wherever he wants.
Neighbors say the rule doesn’t make sense. “I think the rules definitely need to be changed when it comes to sexual predators,” said Linda Vasquez.
Vasquez added that she is relieved to hear that Morgan will be moving out of the area in April. “I’m very happy for that. We don’t need that in a neighborhood full of children.”
The neighborhood is particularly sensitive to the sex offender issue.
Neighbors say registered sex offender John Gardner was spotted at this mother's home - less than 500 feet from Westwood Elementary - in the years before he murdered two teens, including Chelsea King.
Father Brett King helped lead a successful fight for tougher laws, including stricter punishments for sex offenders. When he learned about Morgan's living situation, he told 10news: "As a society, we have lost our common sense ... You don't put a person addicted to candy right next to the candy store ... Politicians, you will hearing from us on this."
Click here to check the Megan's Law website.
