A Level 3 sex offender who moved to Austin earlier this month has been reported missing as of late Monday afternoon.

Shannon Michael Benson, 29, moved from his previous residence at the Sterling Motel, where he moved to Nov. 9, to the Austin Motel on Monday morning. Upon further investigation, the Mower County Sheriff’s department found he had left.

According to Mower County Sheriff Terese Amazi, Benson, who has been convicted of sex crimes in both Rochester and St. Peter, Minn. as a juvenile then later an adult, is thought to possibly be returning to Rochester or maybe Mankato.

However, Sheriff Terese Amazi said he had yet to register in Rochester after putting in a call to Rochester Police. A call to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, where all register forms ultimately end up, hasn’t been made yet.

Though Benson’s whereabouts are currently unknown, Amazi said he is not in violation of any terms at this point. He is not on probation, nor is he under any restrictions.

“Since his last failure to register two years ago, he has always registered,” Amazi said.

A Level 3 sex offender is defined as an offender who is determined to be in high risk of re-offending, although Amazi said there isn’t cause for immediate concern.

“He’s not going to grab some kid off the street,” Amazi said. “That’s not the way he does it. He makes friends with women who have children.”