Not only was he technically living 2 miles from the Lunsford home, according to a USA Today article, he frequently stayed with his half-sister, whose house is "within eyeshot" of the Lunsford home. Article also says that she lived 150 yeard away from the Lunsfords.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-03-17-missing-girl_x.htm
thxs!
HOMOSASSA, Fla. -- A registered sex offender being sought for questioning in the disappearance of a 9-year-old girl has been taken into custody.
Ronda Hemminger Evan with the Citrus County sheriff's office says that Georgia officials have placed John Evander Couey under arrest because he didn't notify Florida officials that he was leaving the state. That's a requirement for sex offenders.
The sheriff of Citrus County, Fla., Jeff Dawsy, said 46-year-old Couey's home is about two miles from Jessica's home, but he also sometimes stayed with relatives who live within eyeshot of her house. Couey is considered only a "person of interest" in the Jessica Lunsford case, but has not been named a suspect.
From interviewing relatives investigators found out that Couey had traveled to Savannah, Ga.
Savannah police say they interviewed a man Saturday after Citrus officials asked them to talk to him. Sgt. Mike Wilson said Couey was found in a Salvation Army shelter, but since there wasn't a warrant for his arrest at the time, investigators released him.
Couey’s criminal record includes multiple arrests for burglary, carrying a concealed weapon, indecent exposure, disorderly conduct and larceny.
Source: http://www.wral.com/news/4293801/detail.html