Dartmouth Police Arrest Sex Offender Living Behind Elementary Sch

DARTMOUTH — Police in Dartmouth have arrested a convicted sex offender living in a tent behind Potter Elementary School.

According to a press release from the department, Dartmouth police detectives arrested 47-year-old Robert Magrath at around 5:20 a.m. on Thursday behind the school.

He is being charged with failing to register as a Level 3 sex offender — the highest level possible, considered to be a danger to the public with a high risk of reoffending.

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According to the Sex Offender Registry, Magrath was convicted in August 2018 of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14.

It is unclear what sentence Magrath received at the time.

Dartmouth police spokesman Det. Kyle Costa said Magrath had been living in an encampment with three other people "very close" behind Potter Elementary, with the tent likely visible from the school's baseball field.

His records state that he is homeless and was living on the streets in New Bedford.

Dartmouth police officer Cristina Brum made the arrest.

This is the second time a sex offender has been found living in a tent behind a Dartmouth school.

In 2018, another sex offender was discovered living in a tent behind DeMello School.

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