The Independence County Sheriff’s Department, in cooperation with Arkansas Department of Corrections Division of Community Corrections, and Batesville Police Department recently conducted a series of sex offender compliance checks within Independence County. These checks are part of an ongoing effort to ensure that registered sex offenders residing in the community are following all legal requirements.
During the operation, officers verified compliance with state registration laws, including current residential addresses, place of employment, and other mandated conditions.
A total of 72 registered offenders were checked. Of those, 42 were found to be in full compliance, while 19 were found to have minor violations, and 4 are being investigated for possible charges. There are still 8 compliance checks to be completed and that will be done in the upcoming days.
Violations include: failure to register current address, noncompliance with residency restrictions, fail to update driver’s license, fail to report social media, or failure to update employment information.
Ensuring compliance with these laws is vital to community safety. These checks serve as both a reminder and an enforcement tool to hold offenders accountable.
All agencies involved will continue to conduct periodic compliance checks in order to enhance public safety and ensure offenders are meeting all registration obligations.