Special Operation Carried Out To Monitor Jefferson County Sex Offenders
By: Jocelyn Tovar, KARK 4 NEWS
Updated: August 20, 2012
If you got a knock on your door early Saturday morning hopefully it wasn't Jefferson County deputies who were out to put pressure on registered sex offenders.
"Conducting operation S.O.R.E." said Jefferson County Sheriff Gerald Robinson.
Standing for Sex Offender Registration Enforcement, the operation is being carried out in Jefferson County for the first time.
KARK cameras were the only ones following deputies as they rounded-up the sex offenders who live inside the county lines.
"Knocking on doors to make sure they live where they say they live," said Sheriff Robinson. "Make sure they have registered and if not to take the appropriate law enforcement action and take them into custody."
Sheriff Robinson said after a law passed in 1997, convicted offenders are required to register to a state-wide database or they could face fines and possible jail time.
"We just want to make sure they are complying with the law," said Sheriff Robinson,
We were there as one alleged offender was placed in hand-cuffs in his front yard, then hauled off to the Jefferson County jail, accused of writing hot checks.
"In many instances they have other warrants and things of that nature to allow us to pick them up," said Sheriff Robinson.
Others were questioned, and allowed to continue with their Saturday.
Sheriff Robinson said his county doesn't necessarily have more offenders than others, but said this initiative is being executed in order to make a point.
"We want the public to know where they are, who they are and be aware of them," he said.
As a sort of service to the general public and safety of the entire community.
72 offenders were visited during the operation and 10 cases were opened for offenders who were not complying with their registration requirements.
If you would like to check if a registered sex offender lives near you: click here
