Wow...what a creepy guy! What he's doing may seem harmless but I personally think he's disturbed.
Yes, he does sound like he is a few feet short of the goal line.
When they gave him that suspended sentence, I am surprised that one of the conditions for staying out of gaol is that he seek psychiatric counseling. Thus, it seems, that once again the legal system failed the people it was suppose to protect.
They are also seemingly looking for him in the wrong place, and unless the article did not say something that I did not see, most criminals are creatures of habit, so it is likely that instead of doubling back to Washington, he is continuing to head east. Thus, they should be looking for him in Wisconsin and Michigan. Unless, they are doing a double reverse fake, in which case, they are watching for him in parts East, and they only want him to think they are watching for him in Washington.