Flagstaff, Ariz. – The combined efforts of the United States Marshals Service, Navajo County Adult Probation Office, Navajo County Sheriff’s Office, Snowflake/Taylor Police Department, Winslow Police Department, Pinetop/Lakeside Police Department, and Holbrook Police Department led to hundreds of sex offender compliance checks, and one arrest, within communities across Northern Arizona.
“The Marshals Service is committed to assisting our partner agencies with sex offender compliance checks. By determining if offenders are complying with court-ordered requirements, especially in rural communities, we help protect those most vulnerable to sex offenders,” said District of Arizona Acting U.S. Marshal Van Bayless.
Between September 12 and September 16, 2022, a total of 212 compliance checks were performed by local, state, and federal law enforcement officers resulting in the identification of eight deceased offenders, and the arrest of one offender. Compliance checks involved officers verifying the sex offender’s registered address or conducting research to confirm address and registration information. During this multi-agency operation, personnel worked together to investigate and locate sex offenders, conduct research, develop investigative leads for partner agencies, and update the local sex offender registries across Northern Arizona.
Investigations during this operation focused on a variety of state and federal sex offender registration requirements. Compliance checks primarily focused on educating sex offenders on new Arizona law changes that took effect in January 2022 which include requirements to report address changes within 72 hours, complete annual registration during their birth month, provide accurate information on registration forms to include registered vehicles and social media handles, and report any intended international travel 21 days in advance.
During the Operation, a United States Marshals Service investigative analyst met with the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office sex offender registration office and the Snowflake/Taylor Police Department. Education and guidance were given on best practices for maintaining sex offender files, packing the offender’s record in Offender Watch, establishing policies and procedures for sex offender registration, and assessing offenders for risk in accordance with Arizona law.
The ability to partner the District of Arizona’s Sex Offender Investigations Branch with federal, state, local, and tribal partners represent the United States Marshals Service’s commitment to the safety of children in communities across the state and country.