For Immediate Release

Hamilton, OH – The United States Marshals Service in the Southern District of Ohio, Butler County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Butler County Adult Probation, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI), and SOFAST (Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team) conducted a joint law enforcement effort to verify the residency of local sex offenders in Butler County. During April 26-30, 2010, Deputy Sheriffs, Deputy U.S. Marshals, Adult Parole Officers, Adult Probation Officers, and BCI Agents teamed up in the fifth of a continuing Federal Operation known as Operation Neighborhood Watch. This initiative is a collaborative law enforcement effort that is designed to keep the public safe by ensuring that these offenders are complying with sex offender registration obligations and residing where they have reported.

In Butler County, 32 out of the four hundred and seventy-two (472) registered sex offenders checked were found to be out of compliance and are facing possible local charges including additional charges of firearms violations, drug trafficking, and parole violation. In addition, 15 other subjects were arrested on other criminal charges. Included in those arrested were Thomas Bedinghaus on Weapons Under Disability, Jamie Perry for Failure to Register, and George Gann on Parole Violations.

Sheriff Richard K. Jones said, “Daily, the Butler County Sheriff’s Office registers and checks sex offenders, however, with the recent layoffs we have experienced we greatly appreciate the Marshals assistance in such a large operation.

Interim United States Marshal Cathy Jones commented, “The collaborative efforts of all of the federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies involved in this operation sends a clear message that we stand together to protect our communities. For those sex offenders that are not registered, not compliant, and are on the run or in hiding, ‘We are determined to locate you and will not stop until we do so. We have clearly shown that in the arrests of George Gann and Jamie Perry.’ We also want to emphasize we appreciate the cooperation of all the citizens we encountered who provided tips throughout the week.”

To search for sex offenders in Butler County, review safety tips, and learn more about your local Sheriff’s office efforts, please visit www.butlersheriff.org, and click on the tab indicated as “Sexual Offenders”.

If you reside outside of Butler County, you can also conduct your own sex offender search. One of the most important programs in the State of Attorney General's office is eSORN, Ohio's Electronic Sex Offender Registration and Notification, one of the nation's preeminent applications for locating and tracking registered sex offenders. For more details, please visit: www.esorn.ag.state.oh.us.

The U.S. Marshals Service is the lead law enforcement agency responsible for investigating sex offender registration violations and related offenses in connection with violations of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, which was enacted July 27, 2006. As part of this Act, the U.S. Marshals Service has been directed to assist state, local, tribal and territorial authorities in the location and apprehension of non-compliant and fugitive sex offenders. Offenders that are found residing out of state can be charged federally and often those charges carry more severe penalties. To ensure the safety of children across the country, the U.S. Marshals Service implemented an aggressive enforcement strategy. Since the law was enacted the United States Marshals Service has arrested 9,160 fugitives for Sex Offenses, Failure to Register and Failure to Comply with Sex Offenders Registration Requirements. To learn more, please visit: www.usmarshals.gov.

For any additional information/details, please contact Lt. Mike Craft, Butler County Sheriff’s Office (513) 785-1231.

Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov.

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