Protesters in neighborhood meet sex offender jailed for 33 years

The ex-convict is not required to register under Megan’s Law.

HARRISBURG (AP) — A man who served more than 30 years in prison for sexually abusing children arrived home to be greeted by protesters concerned that police lack authority to monitor his activities after his release.

George Feigley, 68, arrived at his three-story Harrisburg home shortly after 6:30 p.m. Friday but found about 15 shouting, sign-holding people blocking the driveway.

He and his female driver were able to enter the driveway after two police officers helped clear a path.

Feigley was released from the Laurel Highlands prison in Somerset at 9 a.m. Friday. He was convicted in 1975 of raping three girls who were students at a private school affiliated with a church Feigley founded and ran at his home. Prosecutors called the school a sex cult.

The Harrisburg newspaper, The Patriot-News, published a front-page story Sunday about Feigley’s crimes and his impending release.

Authorities say they cannot restrict Feigley’s movements because he has served his maximum sentence.

He also is not required to register his address with police under the state’s Megan’s Law because his crimes occurred before the law existed.

A woman who lives next door to Feigley’s home, where his wife has continued to live, has been circulating a petition to keep him from returning to his old neighborhood.

His wife, Sandra, told the paper in a statement that her husband has had several heart attacks and their family has been torn apart.

Feigley denied abusing the girls and told a reporter in 1984 that his conviction was part of a conspiracy to destroy his Neo-American Church.

State Sen. Jeffrey Piccola, R-Dauphin, has said he plans to introduce legislation that would allow authorities to keep potentially dangerous sex offenders in prison after they have finished serving their sentences.