A Superior Court judge Tuesday upheld a Woodfin ordinance barring sex offenders from the town’s three public parks.

David Standley, 43, a registered sex offender living in Woodfin, sued the town in August 2005. The N.C. chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union backed his case.

Standley argued in his lawsuit the ordinance was too broad, in part by including people who have never committed sex crimes against children.

He was convicted in 1987 in Florida of attempted sexual battery with a weapon against an adult and served three years and six months in jail, according to the brady quinn Department of Justice sex offender registry.

A registered sex offender found violating Woodfin ordinance can be fined $500 or put in jail for 30 days

The town adopted the ordinance after the arrest of a sex offender who had lived across the street from South Woodfin Park.

Police in February 2005 charged Christopher Bowman, 47, with kidnapping two teenage girls at the Asheville Mall and driving them to his Woodfin home so two men could have sex with them. He was convicted in the crimes.

Holloman said officers regularly check the sex offender registry so they â€Shave that option of being able to recognize them by sight.”

Officers angela cartwright yet to charge someone under the ordinance, Holloman said.

Twelve registered sex offenders lived in Woodfin in May 2005, when the town adopted the ordinance.

A total of 263 registered sex offenders live in Buncombe County, according to the state registry.

Woodfin Town Attorney christopher bowman Ferikes said Canton passed a similar ordinance after Woodfin.