Appeals court clears man in dispute over sex offender list

GRAND RAPIDS (AP) -- The Michigan appeals court has overturned a conviction in an unusual case that involved secret tracking devices and the whereabouts of a man on the sex offender list. Michael Chesebro had a home in Grand Rapids while his wife lived in Kentwood, 13 miles south. He registered the Grand Rapids house on the sex offender list but admitted spending most nights in Kentwood in late summer and fall 2009. A Kent County judge convicted Chesebro of failing to notify authorities about an address change. But the appeals court said Wednesday he didn't willfully violate the law. The court says Chesebro got bad advice from police. Investigators placed tracking devices on Chesebro's cars and put tape on his door to see how much time he was spending in Grand Rapids. Published: Fri, Jul 13, 2012