LAKE COUNTY — The Lake County Sheriff”s Office is conducting a proactive sex registrant compliance audit operation for approximately 190 registered sex offenders who live in the county”s unincorporated areas.
In Lake County as whole, there are just under 300 registered sex offenders, said LCSO Lead Investigator Detective Mike Curran.
Audit teams, comprised of detectives and special purpose officers, began conducting home visits on registered sex offenders last week, said Curran.
The teams, he said, are looking for compliance with Penal Code section 290, which requires persons found guilty of committing sexual offenses involving minors to register with the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction in the area where they live.
The teams visited approximately 40 addresses on Monday and Curran anticipates they will have contacted close to 180 registered sex offenders by the completion of the compliance audit today.
According to counselors who treat sex offenders, most sex offenders commit their crimes against people they know.
“This compliance check now is in conjunction with Halloween to let them know that we know they are out there and to minimize the potential threat they pose,” Curran said.
Curran added that they anticipate they will find between six and 10 offenders to be noncompliant between Monday and today.
“We have made one arrest so far for an individual who had an active local warrant,” he said, adding that criminal cases will be filed and arrest warrants prepared for all offenders who are found to be noncompliant during the audit.
The California Department of Justice”s Web site lists registered sex offenders in California and may be accessed at www.meganslaw.ca.gov/.
Contact Cynthia Davis at cdavis@record-bee.com.
