A wanted unregistered sex offender who legally changed his name to Avril Lavigne has been arrested and booked into jail, Portland police said Tuesday.



Police announced on Monday that Lavigne, born Romany Yves Mesina, had a warrant for his arrest because he was suspected of following teen girls and young women, taking photos of them and posting them on social media. He also hadn't registered as a sex offender following a 2009 conviction for second-degree rape.

Lavigne, 30, was arrested later that day.



Lavigne petitioned to have the same full name as the Canadian-born singer in October 2014, court records show. He does not list a reason for the request in court papers.

-- Everton Bailey Jr.

ebailey@oregonian.com

503-221-8343; @EvertonBailey