Michigan State Police deny Larry Nassar was removed from sex offender registry

Michigan State Police have refuted claims that convicted sex offender Larry Nassar was among approximately 20,000 individuals removed from the state’s sex offender registry. The controversy arose after the Eaton County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office shared a social media post stating that a recent Michigan Supreme Court ruling had eliminated Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA) requirements for offenders who committed crimes before July 1, 2011. The prosecutor’s office expressed concern that the ruling removed protections and awareness for the community and victims.

However, the Michigan State Police issued a statement clarifying that the suggestion Nassar was removed due to the court's decision is incorrect. They explained that Nassar’s absence from the public registry is due to a technicality regarding residency. Under SORA, offenders who are not currently domiciled, temporarily residing, working, incarcerated, or attending school in Michigan are not required to register in the state and would not appear on the public registry. Nassar is currently serving a sentence totaling up to 175 years in prison.