WHITE CASTLE — A White Castle man has been sentenced to 9 years in prison after being convicted of failing to register as a sex offender.

Dwight W. Thomas Jr., 34, was sentenced by 18th Judicial District Judge Elizabeth Engolio in Iberville Parish.

Thomas was convicted of not notifying the community of his sex offender status upon his release from prison, as required by law. The Iberville Parish Sheriff's Office had been closely monitoring Thomas for compliance with sex offender regulations and obtained a warrant for his arrest when he became non-compliant.

Thomas had numerous previous convictions. District Attorney Tony Clayton said the DA's Office asked for the toughest sentence possible and will file a petition to have Thomas classified as a habitual offender, which would expose him to a life term in prison.