The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office conducted a county-wide Registered Offender Compliance Operation at the end of May.

"Our investigative division works hard to make sure the information provided to the community through our Offender Registration website is accurate and that those who are required to register as offenders are complying with the Kansas Offender Registration Act.  Several times throughout the year, including now that school is out for the summer, we conduct home visits to confirm the information they have told us is current," according to Chief Deputy Nate Jones in announcing the compliance operation. 

During the most recent compliance operation, which started May 28th, over 97% of the 102 offenders, were determined to be complying.  Sheriff's Investigators are now seeking criminal charges against those believed to be in violation of the Offender Registration Act.

"Again, with school being out for the summer, now is a great time for parents to take advantage of a useful tool, provided through the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office's partnership with Covington, Louisiana based OffenderWatch, to provide free access to download the OffenderWatch app on Android and iPhone smartphone devices," encouraged Chief Deputy Jones.

After downloading the app, citizens will be able to see registered offenders living near them or other locations they would like monitored. They can also request to receive free alerts when a registered sex offender moves into their neighborhood.

According to the Crimes Against Children Research Center, one in five teens have reported receiving an unwanted sexual solicitation online.  In 2021, most of the more than 29 million tips reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children dealt with child sexual abuse images, online enticement, including "sextortion," child sex trafficking, and child sexual molestation.

Funding for the Registered Offender Compliance Operation is provided through a grant awarded to the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office from the Adam Walsh Act Implementation Grant, United States Office of Justice Programs.

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