Convicted sex offender back in jail five months after release from prison

A registered sex offender is now in custody in the Coffee County Jail, just five months after completing a 20-year prison sentence on three serious sex crimes involving a 15-year-old. 

In 2002, Marcus McFails of Douglas pleaded guilty to rape, statutory rape, and aggravated child molestation. McFails was facing life plus 20 years but received a 70-year sentence for all charges, with 20 served in confinement. He began his sentence in February 2002 and was released in July of this year. He returned to Douglas and began residing at New Hope Recovery.

According to a copy of an incident report from the Coffee County Sheriff's Office, a detective received a call from McFails on December 5. McFails informed the detective that he had been kicked out of New Hope Recovery for "having too many clothes'' and would be registering as homeless. The detective advised McFails to come to the sheriff's department to register and then contacted New Hope Recovery by phone. 

The center director confirmed that McFails was no longer a resident and was "made to leave because he continued to not follow the rules." The report states that the director said  McFails was made to leave on December 1 between 1:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. 

On December 5, McFails was interviewed by a sergeant and a detective with the CCSO, in which he confirmed that after he was made to leave New Hope Recovery, he checked into the OYO motel. McFails was asked why he did not register after leaving the center, and he replied that he was "distraught." 

A registered sexual offender is required by Georgia State Law to notify the CCSO of a change of address 72 hours in advance.

McFails was arrested on one count for failing to report a change of address for a sexual offender and a probation violation.

According to the Georgia Department of Corrections website, McFails' 20-year sentence was one of four prison sentences he has served. He has also served time for convictions on 18 counts of forgery in the 1st degree, 2 counts of obstruction of a law enforcement officer, 2 counts of entering a vehicle, burglary, and criminal damage in the 2nd degree.

 McFails has been denied bond and remains in the Coffee County Jail.