Sex offender charged with visiting Md. school
Associated Press
09/01/09 10:10 PM EDT
FREDERICK, MD. — The lawyer for a registered child sex offender charged with visiting a Frederick County elementary school without permission says his client feels persecuted.
The charges against 40-year-old Steve Yingling, of Frederick, allege he dropped off and picked up his son at Lewistown Elementary School in Thurmont, and toured the school before classes began.
Defense attorney Scott Rolle (RAH'-lee) said Monday that Yingling didn't know he needed written authorization from school administrators to be on the grounds.
Yingling was sentenced in 2004 to five years in prison after pleading guilty to a second-degree sex offense.
Rolle says Yingling was released about two years ago and is trying to reconcile with his estranged wife. He says nothing prohibits contact between Yingling and his four children.
