SUNBURY — A registered sex offender is in jail on felony charges for failing to comply with the state Megan’s Law after a tip prompted by a newspaper reader.

Neil Jeffrey Alter, 49, reportedly moved 18 months ago and did not notify state police about his new address.

A reader spotted the alleged crime when Alter was listed in a Wednesday article in The Daily Item. Alter was identified as being among 12 registered sex offenders living in Sunbury. The newspaper, using information on the state Megan’s Law Web site, reported Alter’s address as 1242 Highland Ave., Sunbury.

City police were contacted and told Alter no longer lives at the address.

An investigation by police Det. Christopher Blase found Alter moved from Highland Avenue in December 2006 to 400 N. Eighth St., Sunbury, but never informed state police, according to court documents.

The law requires all registered offenders to report new addresses within 48 hours.

Hanna George, of the Megan’s Law section of the state police, confirmed authorities had been looking for Alter since he failed to report last summer for his annual registration, the complaint said.

Alter was arraigned Thursday by District Judge Robert J. Bolton, Sunbury, on two counts of felony failure to comply with the registry of sex offenders.

The charges each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

He is being held in Northumberland County Prison in lieu of $75,000 cash. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday.