Topeka ? Hundreds of registered sex offenders in Kansas are using the MySpace Web site, according to the attorney general’s office.

“We’re thoroughly investigating these names and will punish any offender using these sites in violation of their probation or parole,” Attorney General Paul Morrison said.

Last month, MySpace, under pressure from state attorneys general, announced it would turn over identifying information of thousands of sex offenders nationwide who had opened accounts with the service.

Kansas recently received its lists, which contain approximately 300 names, officials said.

“These are only offenders who used their real name to register with MySpace,” said Morrison spokeswoman Ashley Anstaett. “There are concerns that other offenders are registering under an alias.”

The office would provide no further details, saying it was investigating the information received from MySpace.

A bill approved earlier this year requires sex offenders to register with the state more often and provide more identifying information, such as e-mail addresses and online user names.

“Unfortunately, the anonymity of the Internet makes it nearly impossible to verify the identity of everyone online,” the attorney general said.

Morrison urged parents to monitor their children’s computer activities and talk about potential threats with them.

There is a MySpace page that appears to belong to Edwin R. Hall, the man accused of kidnapping 18-year-old Kelsey Smith from an Overland Park Target store parking lot and killing her.

The user only goes by the name “Jack,” which Hall was known by to neighbors. Hall is not a registered sex offender. He was charged Thursday with premeditated first-degree murder.