Violation of Sex Offender Registration Act

DATE & TIME: 10-08-2016/1625 

LOCATION: 16940 East Liberty Drive, Liberty, Nebraska              

OFFENSE: Violation of the Sex Offender Registration Act                      

CASE #: 2016-4135

The Gage County Sheriff’s Office investigated a violation of the sex offender registration act on a Timothy Lee Erks of Liberty, Nebraska.  During the investigation it was discovered that Erks had quit his job in Filley, Nebraska, but failed to notify the Gage County Sheriff’s Office of a change in employment. 

Upon completion of the case, a warrant was requested and upon it being issued, an Investigator from the sheriff’s office informed a trooper from the Nebraska State Patrol, and the trooper arrested Timothy Lee Erks.  The trooper brought Erks to the Gage County Corrections Center where he was booked into the jail, and a deputy with the Gage County Sheriff’s Office completed the warrant paperwork.

There are, at any time, approximately 60 or more registered sex offenders residing in Gage County.  The Nebraska legislature, through research and by statute, has determined sex offenders present a high risk to commit repeat offenses.  The applicable law in Nebraska regarding this is Nebraska Revised Statutes 29-4002, which reads,

“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.”

The sheriff’s offices in Nebraska are, by statute, tasked with collecting the information sex offenders are required to provide, and forwarding that information to the Nebraska State Patrol Sex Offender Registration Unit.  That information is then available to both the public and law enforcement agencies throughout the state.  This information includes, but is not limited to,  permanent, temporary, or habitual residences, vehicle information such as type of vehicles operated and license plate/registration information, employment, telephone numbers, and schools they are attending.

During the past year the Gage County Sheriff’s Office has received information from the Beatrice Police Department, the Nebraska State Patrol, the Wymore Police Department, State of Nebraska Probation Department, the Saline County Sheriff’s Office and Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, as well as private citizens that have resulted in the arrest of seven registered sex offenders for violations of the Nebraska Sex Offender Registration Act, as well as one outstanding warrant for violation of the Nebraska Sex Offender Registration Act.  One additional registered sex offender has violated conditions of federal probation and is to be remanded to federal authorities for incarceration.

In at least two of the cases in the past year, the person arrested was displaying actions which were consistent with their behavior during their original arrests for sex offenses. 

The Gage County Sheriff’s Office works with other local agencies on maintaining current records for registered sex offenders.  Additionally, the Gage County Sheriff’s Office conducts compliance checks on the registered sex offenders to verify the information they provide to the Gage County Sheriff’s Office is valid.

There are currently several active investigations into possible violations of reporting requirements by registered sex offenders.

The information on sex offenders in Gage County can be obtained from the Nebraska State Patrol Sex Offender Registry website at https://sor.nebraska.gov/.  Further information related to Gage County sex offenders can be found at the Gage County Sheriff’s Office website at http://www.gagecountysheriff.us/. 

Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson #903

Investigator T. Hanson #90310