Gage County Sheriff facebook page
We're Here For You!
(402) 223-5221
 

Sex Offender Compliance Checks

DATE & TIME:    08-16-2017 / 10:00-19:00

LOCATION:     Beatrice, Adams, Wymore, Blue Springs, Barneston, Liberty, Virginia and rural Gage County

 

OFFENSE:         Sex Offender Compliance Checks    

                                   

CASE #:              2017-4525 through 2017-4563

 

On Wednesday, 08-16-2017, investigators and deputies from the Gage County Sheriff’s Office, along with officers from the Beatrice Police Department, troopers from the Nebraska State Patrol, and deputy US Marshals, conducted a county wide compliance check of over 60 registered sex offenders residing in Beatrice, Wymore, Adams, Blue Springs, Barneston, Virginia, and Liberty, Nebraska. Southeast Communications provided radio and dispatch services, along with checking for warrants on subjects when requested by an officer.  A similar compliance operation was run concurrently in Saline County, Nebraska.

 

This compliance check in Gage County resulted in: 1.         One arrest of a registered sex offender on two warrants (Sex Offender Registration Act/SORA violation and Theft).

  1. Two affidavit for arrest warrants for SORA violations (failure to report address) have been forwarded to the county attorney’s office requesting arrest warrants.
  2. One investigation initiated for a probation violation (firearms possession) by a registered sex offender.
  3. One investigation initiated for possession of a deadly weapon (firearms) by a prohibited person (aka felon in possession of a firearm).
  4. Two new investigations opened into SORA violations for failure to update addresses
  5. The sheriff’s office fielded numerous calls from registered sex offenders, concerning sex offender registration requirements and issues. This demonstrates an increased willingness to update required information based solely on this enforcement operation.
  6. Other criminal reports have been reported to authorities based on citizens observing investigators, deputies, and officers conducting the compliance checks.
  7. One new investigation initiated for SORA violation for failure to report employment uncovered during the compliance check.
  8. The sheriff’s office received numerous calls and inquiries from the public regarding sex offender registration requirements.
  9. The Gage County Sheriff’s Office has been very active with monitoring and investigating sex offender registration and violations in the past year and a half. This operation, however, did uncover some SORA violations that might not have been discovered or reported without this concerted effort.
  10. Telephone/Cell phone numbers were confirmed in numerous incidents and some discrepancies were also uncovered.
  11. An increased awareness by all law enforcement officers was developed on the number of, and criminal activity associated with, registered sex offenders.

 

Persons subject to the Nebraska Sex Offender Registry are required to report information such as, but not limited to, addresses, vehicles they own or operate, employment, schools attending, telephone/cell phone numbers, and other identifying information.

 

The Nebraska legislature has codified the rationale for the collection and dissemination to the public of this information. It is found in Nebraska Revised Statute 29-4002.

 

Nebraska Revised Statute 29-4002

Legislative Findings

 

The Legislature finds that sex offenders present a high risk to commit repeat offenses. The Legislature further finds that efforts of law enforcement agencies to protect their communities, conduct investigations, and quickly apprehend sex offenders are impaired by the lack of available information about individuals who have pleaded guilty to or have been found guilty of sex offenses and who live, work, or attend school in their jurisdiction. The Legislature further finds that state policy should assist efforts of local law enforcement agencies to protect their communities by requiring sex offenders to register with local law enforcement agencies as provided by the Sex Offender Registration Act.

 

Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson #903

 

Investigator T. Hanson #90310