Law enforcement have been doing some "spring cleaning," checking up on Hamilton County's 1,350 registered sex offenders.
Sheriff Jim Neil says officers checked 1,114 addresses last week.
The large-scale, multi-agency operation is the first of its kind in the county since the Adam Walsh law went into effect in 2006.
So far, deputies have made 20 arrests, including 38-year-old Ronald James. When officers came to his door they noticed a rifle sticking out from under a couch. Upon entering his house they found 10 more rifles and four handguns. He is currently in the Hamilton County jail.
By the numbers
- 720 registered sex offender addresses confirmed
- 72 registered sex offenders found to be out of compliance
- 52 warrants have been issued
- 20 people arrested (32 warrants outstanding)
- 20 investigations still pending (warrants could be issued)
- 237 notices left on doors where no one was home at time of visit
- 19 homeless offenders investigated
- 66 Other - (ie: provided address doesn't exist or other circumstances that require additional investigation.)
Deputies got a lot of help from the U.S. Marshal Service and are continuing the investigation. Marshal Pat Sedoti says Hamilton County's compliance rate is higher than average.