Sex registrant arrested by EPD for soliciting teenage girls

EPD press release posted below. The short version, another probation violation and meth involved. Wonder if the students who were here to check out HSU will still consider Humboldt as an option?

Eureka Police Department

Date:  February 18, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Subject:  Sex Registrant Arrested for Annoying/Molesting Teenage Girls

On February 16, 2014, at about 9:30 AM, Eureka Police Department officers were dispatched to a motel on the 2200 block of 4th Street regarding the report of a suspicious person.  The caller reported a male subject solicited two teenage girls for a “massage” near the dumpsters outside this location. 

While en route to the motel, the responding officer spotted a male matching the suspect’s description standing in the parking lot of a gas station located at 4^th and V Streets.  The officer recognized the subject from prior law enforcement related contacts as David Lee Dues (age 26 of Eureka).  Dues was on summary probation for 9 offenses (7 separate probation dockets/cases) including annoying or molesting a child under 18 and failure to register as a sex offender.  Upon contacting Dues, the officer observed he exhibited symptoms consistent with being under the influence of methamphetamine. Dues was detained pending further investigation. 
Upon contacting the victims, ages 16 and 17 years, the officer learned they were staying at the motel while in town to visit Humboldt State University. When the girls walked outside to place their bags in their parents’ car, they were approached by Dues.   Dues inquired if he could ask them a question for a “college class.”  He claimed he needed to practice a massage technique, “reflex,” for his class so he could get his “masseuse license.” Dues asked the girls if he could do the massage on them, adding it would only take a few seconds.  He then attempted to convince the girls to go behind a nearby dumpster with him.
The girls felt frightened by Dues. They rejected his offer, told him they needed to go, and returned to the motel. 
The victims positively identified Dues as the suspect.  Dues was arrested and transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where he was booked for annoying or molesting a child under 18 years (with a felony enhancement due to his prior conviction) and violation of his probation.  Dues’ bail was set at $25,000.00.  Dues was still in custody as of the time of this news release. 

Anyone with information about this crime, or similar unreported crimes committed by Dues, is asked to contact the Eureka Police Department at (707) 441-4060 or (707) 441-4044.