Eaton County prosecutor formally challenges sex offender registry removals
Michigan prosecutors formally challenge sex offender registry removals mandated by state court ruling.
Event / Politics
Michigan Sex Offender Registry Change
Michigan Supreme Court ruling on September 9, 2026, removes over 20,000 sex offenders from state registry due to retroactive application of 2021 amendments, including USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar. Decision raises public safety concerns among prosecutors and victim advocates.
3 reported locations
Daily activity
3 articles0 articles
2026-10-02 to 2026-10-31 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 2 Oct, 01:48 UTC
Follow the documented timeline or explore the related reporting.
What happened
Eaton County Prosecutor's Office objects to sex offender registry removal
The Eaton County Prosecutor's Office, which prosecuted Larry Nassar, objected to the Michigan Supreme Court's decision to remove sex offenders from the registry. The office stated that the court's decision to eliminate registration requirements is concerning because the community and victims expected the registry to provide protection and awareness. The office noted that multiple other convicted sex offenders of minors remain incarcerated but will eventually be released without any requirement to report their residence.
Michigan Supreme Court ruling removes registration requirements for pre-2011 sex offenses
On September 9, 2026, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that amendments to the Sex Offender Registration Act issued in 2021 cannot be used retroactively to require registration for offenses committed before July 1, 2011. This ruling led to the removal of more than 20,000 individuals from the Michigan Sex Offender Registry.
Larry Nassar removed from Michigan sex offender registry
Larry Nassar, a former Team USA gymnastics doctor convicted of sexually abusing hundreds of young athletes, was removed from the Michigan Sex Offender Registry as a result of the September 9 Michigan Supreme Court ruling. Nassar is serving multiple prison sentences totaling decades for convictions on federal child pornography charges and state counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.
Larry Nassar convicted of sexually abusing hundreds of young gymnasts
Larry Nassar, an osteopathic physician who worked at Michigan State University and as a physician for USA Gymnastics from 1996 to 2014, was convicted of sexually abusing at least 265 young athletes, many of whom were minors. Nassar presented the abuse as legitimate medical treatment. Victims included Olympic gymnasts Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, McKayla Maroney, and Jordyn Wieber. He was convicted on multiple counts in 2017 and 2018, receiving sentences totaling 60 years in prison.
U.S. government settles with Nassar victims over FBI mishandling
In 2024, the U.S. government reached a settlement of $138.7 million with approximately 100 of Larry Nassar's victims over the FBI's failure to properly investigate and respond to assault allegations against him. The settlement provided compensation to victims who said the FBI failed in its duty to investigate reports of abuse.
Michigan Supreme Court rules 2021 sex offender registration amendments cannot apply retroactively
The Michigan Supreme Court ruled on September 9 that amendments issued in 2021 to the Sex Offender Registration Act cannot be used retroactively to require registration for crimes committed before July 1, 2011. This decision was made following several state and federal civil rights challenges to the law.
Eaton County Prosecutor's office criticizes Michigan Supreme Court sex offender registry decision
The Eaton County Prosecutor's Office issued a statement expressing deep concern about the Michigan Supreme Court's decision, arguing that the court could have applied a different interpretation that would have allowed certain sex offenders to remain on the registry. The prosecutors stated that the decision removes protections and awareness that victims and communities expected from the registry, describing the ruling as using a 'chainsaw' rather than a 'scalpel' in its approach.
Michigan removes approximately 20,000 sex offenders from public registry
Following the Michigan Supreme Court ruling, the Michigan State Police removed more than 20,000 convicted sex offenders from the state's online sex offender registry. These removals applied to offenders whose crimes were committed before July 1, 2011.
Larry Nassar convicted of sexual assault of gymnasts while serving as USA Gymnastics team doctor
Dr. Larry Nassar was convicted in 2018 of sexual assault against hundreds of female athletes. Nassar used his positions as USA Gymnastics national team doctor (1986-2014) and Michigan State University team physician (1997-2016) to sexually abuse gymnasts under the guise of providing medical treatment. His victims included Olympic gold medalists Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas, Jordyn Wieber, McKayla Maroney, and Aly Raisman. He pleaded guilty to multiple counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.
Dr. Larry Nassar removed from Michigan sex offender registry
Dr. Larry Nassar, the former USA Gymnastics team doctor and Michigan State University physician, was removed from Michigan's sex offender registry as a result of the court ruling. Although Nassar was convicted in 2018 and is serving multiple lengthy sentences totaling 40-175 years in Michigan plus 60 years on federal child pornography charges, his removal stems from many of his crimes predating the July 1, 2011 cutoff date. Nassar is currently incarcerated at the U.S. Penitentiary Lewisburg in Pennsylvania.
Read the coverage
2 alternative perspectives
Nassar registry removal sparks debate over victim protection
Nassar's registry removal highlights tensions between legal precedent and public safety protections for abuse victims.
Michigan court ruling leads to removal of 20,000 from sex offender registry
Michigan removes 20,000 sex offenders from registry following Supreme Court's non-retroactive application ruling.