How Could You? Hall of Shame-Barry Dugar UPDATED

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Richmond, California, a convicted sex offender who was operating the group home TRUPP,Barry Dugar, 50 “was arrested in Richmond Wednesday on multiple charges of child molestation. According to authorities, he molested at least three victims on several different occasions. On Friday, police told KTVU at least two more alleged victims had come forward.”

“Dugar is a known sex offender who is registered on the Mega’s Law website. On Friday, Richmond police were still trying to determine how he was able to operate a group home for teenage boys without authorities knowing.

Dugar also worked with students at John Kennedy High School. “Two victims from Kennedy High School reported that their guardian at their transitional home had sexually assaulted them,” said Richmond Police Sgt. Matt Stonebreaker.

According to an official with the West Contra Costa School District, Dugar was allowed to be on campus to oversee students that he was listed as a guardian. Dugar was on campus for athletic games, practices and study hall. The district said Dugar was not affiliated with the district in an official capacity and has since been banned from school sites.

Dugar’s previous offenses include annoying or molesting a person believed to be under 18 years of age and committing lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14 years of age.  Richmond Police say Dugar was convicted in 2009 and served time at San Quentin.

Police have not released the name of the group home, but said Dugar also operated a transitional home for the homeless or people who were recently released from jail.

The transitional facility is called TRUPP, or The Remember Us Peoples Project for. On Friday, the non-profit group, Prisoner Reentry Network, listed TRUPP has one of its  projects on its website, but the link had been taken down by Friday afternoon. KTVU called Prisoner Reentry Network, but they had no comment.

“He doesn’t have a license with the state of California, Contra Costa County or the city of Richmond. So we’re taking that very seriously right now, because we don’t know how he’s able to operate,” said Stonebreaker.

Police said Dugar did not disclose his occupation when he registered as a sex offender.

KTVU tried to contact Dugar at the address listed on the Megan’s Law Registry.The person inside the home shut the door.

The area where Dugar lives is less than a 30 second walk to an elementary school. Some wonder how a registered sex offender can live in the area. According to police, as long as you’re not on supervised parole or probation, you can live anywhere you want as long as police know where you are.

“If you’re a registered sex offender you do have to register once a year on your birthday within five days of your birthday. That’s all you have to do at this point,” said Stonebreaker.

Police say the victims in this case have been removed and are now in a safe home. Dugar is out on bail and has a restraining order to stay away from the boys group home.

Richmond police say if there are more victims out there, they want to hear from them. ”

New victims come forward after operator of boys home arrested [KTVU 10/30/15]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

Update:“Ten child molestation charges were filed Thursday against a convicted sex offender after Kennedy High School students living in his unlicensed group home near campus made accusations against him, authorities said

Four teenage boys have come forward accusing 50-year-old Barry Dugar of performing sexual acts and soliciting sex acts for money, according to Contra Costa prosecutors. He also is accused of showing minors pornography

Dugar was arrested Thursday and is being held at County Jail in Martinez on $1.7 million bail.

Twice convicted of child molestation, Dugar ran a group home near Kennedy High and nearby Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, authorities said. His address on South 41st Street is listed on California Megan’s Law sex offender locator site.

A preliminary police investigation has uncovered that Dugar did not have state or local licenses or permits to run a group home and reached out to individual families with boys who needed a place to stay, which would likely not draw the attention of law enforcement.

Described by police as manipulative and charming, Dugar also purported to have experience helping people coming out of prison. A website that was taken down last week listed him as the CEO of an organization named TRUPP that helped the formerly incarcerated, Richmond police Capt. Mark Gagan said.

At Kennedy High on the city’s south side, Dugar was a frequent visitor, attending practices, study sessions and sports events to support students he was on record as being the guardian of, West Contra Costa Unified School District spokesman Marcus Walton said.