Officers from several law enforcement agencies came together recently to personally verify and confirm the physical addresses for listed places of residence provided by registered sex offenders.  Sex offenders are required by law to provide a correct and true place and address of residence when registering with law enforcement.  Officers make random checks of registered sex offenders to make certain that they are in fact residing at their stated address.

     On October 26, 27, and 28, officers with the United States Marshal’s Service of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Baxter County Sheriff’s Office, Arkansas Department of Community Corrections, and the Mountain Home Police Department conducted a joint operation and visited each of these registered sex offenders at their stated address.  Officers confirmed residence, examined living arrangements, and made checks of offenders’ computers, mail, and other articles when they were authorized by law to do so.  There are 70 sex offenders registered with the Sheriff’s Office and there are 22 other sex offenders registered with the Mountain Home Police Department.

     With respect to those sex offenders who are registered with the Sheriff’s Office, 69 of them were found to be in compliance with sex offender registration laws and requirements.  One offender, 28 year old Joseph Smith, was found to have moved from his stated address on Buzzard Roost Road and has not reported a new address.  Smith is a Level 2 offender (moderate risk to re-offend), and Sheriff’s Investigators are anticipating charges to be filed against him. 

     Another offender, 34 year old Shane Mullin of rural Mountain Home, a Level 3 (high risk to re-offend) offender, was arrested by Probation and Parole Officers for violation of terms of probation.  He was taken to the Baxter County Detention Center. 

     One other offender, 34 year old Jason Brannon of Gassville, a Level 2 offender, was arrested by the Marshal’s Service on an outstanding failure to appear warrant and also taken to the Detention Center.

     The Sheriff’s Office takes the sex offender registration process very seriously and will continuously strive to make certain that all known offenders are in full compliance with all registration laws and requirements.

/s/ John F. Montgomery,
Baxter County Sheriff