Sheriff Tim Bailey announced deputies working in conjunction with the U.S. Marshals Service for the Northern District of Ohio recently conducted an operation in Marion County to verify the residential addresses of sex offenders who are required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
Between March 28th and March 31, 2016, teams of law enforcement officers worked the streets of every community in Marion County in an attempt to verify that the registered offenders were living at the addresses that they reported to the Sheriff Office. The U.S. Marshals supported this operation by providing additional manpower and resources, including overtime funding for the Sheriff’s Office.
Other agencies that participated included the Marion County Adult Probation Department, Marion Municipal Court Probation Department and the Ohio Adult Parole Authority.
During the three day operation officers 1hecked the addresses of approximately 152 offenders. The vast majority of the offenders were found to be in compliance with the law, residing at the address they reported. 7 of the offenders were found to be out of compliance and were arrested for violating their duty to register as a sex offender, which is a felony offense.
The Sheriff’s Office and Marshals Service will continue to check on the remaining 0ffenders and will file charges on those found to be out of compliance.
To take full advantage of the additional law enforcement resources, officers also spent time trying to locate fugitives and serve arrest warrants. As a result of those efforts 14 additional subjects were arrested for a total of 21 felony arrests in three days.
In the State of Ohio the Sheriff is responsible for maintaining the sex offender registry. The United States Marshals service is responsible for investigating federal sex offender violations under the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, and with assisting state and local agencies with their compliance responsibilities.
Assistant Chief Deputy Marshal Brian Filtzgibbon said, “The Marion County Sheriff’s Office, like other law enforcement agencies throughout the state, is facing increased responsibilities, while at the same time dealing with reduced funding and manpower. We are glad to be able to support our state and local partners in this important mission.”
Sheriff Bailey extended his thanks and appreciation to US Marshal Pete Elliott and his deputy marshals for their assistance and support during this operation.
Anyone who wishes to view the list of registered sex offenders in Marion County can visit the Marion County Sheriff’s Office web site at www.co.marion.oh.us/sheriff.
Anyone who has information regarding a sex offender who is not residing at the address they reported can give the information to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office by calling 740-382-8244. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of a known fugitive is encouraged to contact the U.S. Marshal’s Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED or Text keyword WANTED and tip to TIP411 (847411) Tipsters can remain anonymous and reward money is available.
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