A convicted sex offender accused of offering jobs to teenage boys at a Waffle House in Louisville is now facing felony charges for failing to register in Indiana.

James L. Ford, 35, of the 200 block of Mitchell Road in New Albany, was convicted of sexual misconduct with a minor in Jefferson County, Ky., in 2004. He was ordered to register as a sex offender for life which means he would be required to register each year.

Ford was convicted in July of failing to register as a sex offender in Floyd County and was ordered to serve two months in jail.

Prosecutor Keith Henderson said his office is alleging that Ford again failed to register after he was released from jail. Because of his prior conviction, the level of felony is increased to a class C felony. Ford faces two to eight years in prison.

Louisville Metro Police officials said Ford walked for miles with a 16-year-old boy on Labor Day weekend. The boy reportedly claimed Ford promised him and a friend a job at Waffle House. Ford is not employed at Waffle House.

Ford was charged with failure to comply with the sex offender registry as a second offense in Jefferson County. He has a hearing set for Sept. 30 on those charges.

A New Albany woman told news-gathering partner WLKY-TV that her 15-year-old son had a similar experience at the Waffle House in New Albany, and she believed it may be Ford who targeted her son.

A complaint was filed against Ford on Sept. 10, but a detective reported that the complaint was unfounded and that no crime had been committed, according to police records.

A warrant was issued for his arrest in Floyd County on Monday. Henderson said he would seek extradition from Louisville.

“The disturbing thing is he’s been convicted for the same offense,” Henderson said. “It’s important that the public be able to access the registry so that people can see within the community who may be a sex offender.”



NAPD makes arrest in Kent Street burglary

A 34-year-old New Albany woman was arrested Tuesday for theft after a burglary was reported on the 700 block of Kent Street in New Albany.

Stephanie Farmer was arrested and charged with the class D felony.

The burglary was reported on Sept. 14, and New Albany Police Department Patrol Division Officer Andrew Byrne identified Farmer as the perpetrator of the crime, according to the NAPD press release.

Some of the stolen merchandise, including a microwave oven and other electronic items, was recovered at two Louisville pawn shops.

Farmer also lives on the 700 block of Kent Street.

On Wednesday, a preliminary plea of not guilty was entered for Farmer in Floyd County Superior Court No. 3. Bond was set at $5,000 court cash or surety, and Farmer was appointed a public defender. A jury trial was scheduled for Nov. 30.

Farmer faces six months to three years in prison if convicted. She is being held in the Floyd County Jail.