Toan Chu, a Vietnamese national with multiple prior sex crime convictions, of failing to register as a sex offender while residing in Indian Country.
OWASSO, Okla. — A federal jury has convicted Toan Chu, a Vietnamese national with multiple prior sex crime convictions, of failing to register as a sex offender while residing in Indian Country.
According to federal prosecutors, Chu was convicted in Alameda County, California, in 1992 of several serious sexual offenses, including rape by force in concert with another during a kidnapping, forcible oral copulation of a minor during a kidnapping, and assault during sodomy in the commission of a kidnapping.
Because of those convictions, federal law required Chu to register as a sex offender for life wherever he resided.
The case came to the attention of the Owasso Police Department after officers learned that a 15-year-old girl, who was not related to Chu, was living at his residence. Authorities discovered the situation after Chu brought the teenager to enroll in school.
Investigators determined that Chu had failed to register as a sex offender at the residence, as required by federal law.
U.S. Attorney Christopher Nassar emphasized the importance of compliance with sex offender registration laws.
“Sex offender registration requirements and court-ordered supervision are not optional,” Nassar said. “When individuals disregard these obligations, they undermine safeguards designed to protect our communities and demonstrate a blatant disregard for the law.”
Nassar added that his office will continue working with law enforcement agencies to hold offenders accountable when they fail to comply with registration requirements.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michele Hulgaard and Augustus Forster prosecuted the case.
The investigation was conducted by Deputy U.S. Marshal Breland Speaks, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Owasso Police Department.
Information regarding Chu’s sentencing was not included in the announcement.
