MASNFIELD — A joint, two-day operation shows a 99 percent compliance rate for registered sex offenders in Richland County, according to sheriff Steve Sheldon.
The state’s average sex offender compliance rate is 90 percent, Sheldon noted in a press release.
“That’s a very good number,” said Maj. Joe Masi, of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. “That tells me that they’re doing what they’re supposed to be doing and so are we.
“We check them all throughout the year.”
The operation was completed by deputies from the sheriff’s office, the U.S. Marshal’s Service, officers from Mansfield, Plymouth and Galion police departments, Richland County Adult Court Services and the State Parole Authority.
“We have an excellent relationship with Sheriff Sheldon and the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force,” said Peter Elliott, United States Marshall for the Northern District of Ohio. “The partnership with the task force and local law enforcement agencies has been very successful in arresting violent fugitives and with the sex offender compliance checks to keep Richland County citizens safe.”
Masi said there are 355 registered sex offenders in Richland County. During the operation, deputies only found four to be out of compliance.
Additionally, four of the 355 compliant registered sex offenders were arrested for misdemeanors.
Masi said deputies contacted registered sex offenders 1,700 times in 2015. On average, each of the 355 registered sex offenders are checked on by deputies around five times per year.
“This demonstrates the high priority the Richland County Sheriff’s Office places upon its Sex Offender Registration program,” Sheldon said.
