The Sheriff’s Office is notifying the public that a Level 3 Registered Sex Offender (High Risk to re-offend) is now residing in Baxter County. 

NAME:                       MITCHELL RYAN PENNER                  

DATE OF BIRTH:   03/24/1982

HOME ADDRESS:  285 CR 1159

                                    Gassville, AR 72635

     The offender was convicted of Sexual Assault on 02/22/2010, which involved the offender engaging in sexual conduct with an incapacitated 20 year old female he met at a party.  PENNER moved to Baxter County in April, 2010 and registered with the Sheriff’s Office at that time.  He was not assessed and classified by the State until December 21, 2010.  Under existing Arkansas law, the Sheriff’s Office was not able to notify the public until the assessment process was completed and the time for an appeal of that assessment had lapsed.  However, with the recent passage of Act 100 of 2011, the Sheriff’s Office will soon be able to notify the public about a sex offender as soon as the offender moves into this jurisdiction, without waiting for the assessment process to begin.

     This person is not wanted by law enforcement at this time.  This notification is not intended to increase fear; rather it is our belief that an informed public is a safer public.  This information cannot be used to threaten, intimidate, or harass Registered Sex Offenders.  Citizen abuse will not be tolerated.  Such abuse could potentially end law enforcement’s ability to do community notification.   

     /s/ John F. Montgomery

    Baxter County Sheriff