Police: Street corner sign leads to sex offender arrest

Picture posted to Facebook tips police to violation

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A 34-year-old registered sex offender was arrested Thursday after Facebook posts alerted Gainesville police that the man was violating the terms of the registration by advertising for piano lessons with a website and email address not reported to the state, police said.

David O'Neill pleaded guilty Dec. 19 to the transmission of material harmful to minors and was ordered to register as a sex offender with the state of Florida.

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Under the conditions of the registration, O'Neill is required to report all of his internet identifiers, including email addresses, social media accounts or websites.

According to the arrest report, O'Neill was seen standing on a street corner advertising his business using a sign that displays a website in his name. The website points users to an email address where O'Neill can be contacted. Neither was reported to the state, police said.

A photo of O'Neill advertising on the street corner was posted to Facebook by a former client.

Police said O'Neill also placed an ad on Craigslist using the same website and email address.

He faces three charges of failing to register email or internet information.