Elias Velasquez said he feels he is being convicted again.

More than 20 years ago, the 44-year-old East Chicago man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the 1987 shooting death of a man in a bar. He served five years in prison and was released in 1993 with good-time credit.

Velasquez and other offenders believe the law requiring them to register for an online database is akin to double jeopardy in that it punishes them beyond their time in prison.

Velasquez said he has stayed on the right side of the law for 15 years -- volunteering his time with youth and helping north Lake County residents secure jobs with the construction company where he works.

But the 2007 amendment to state law now requires Velasquez and other violent offenders to register their home and work addresses with the sex and violent offenders registry.

"It feels like harassment," he said. "It's kinda like double jeopardy. ... I'm trying to live my life. I'm not bothering anybody."

Velasquez's neighbors say they were aware of some of his past but know him only as an "outstanding person and good, loyal friend."

Cynthia Larios said Velasquez would help anyone in need.

"He's always been a good neighbor," she said. "He's always been kind and very nice. He even worked on our house."