179 sex offenders absconders arrested

LANSING, Mich. (WOOD) - Michigan State Police said in a news release 179 non-compliant sex offender absconders were arrested and 248 additional arrest warrants were requested during a statewide sweep called Operation Verify.

Michigan's Sex Offenders Registration Act requires offenders convicted of felony-listed offenses to verify their address at a local law enforcement agency quarterly during the first 15 days of January, April, July and October. Offenders are also required to report a change of address when they move or vacate a residence. Failure to do so can result in a felony conviction with a punishment ranging from a 93-day misdemeanor to a 10-year felony.

Operation Verify is an initiative led by state police aimed at increasing compliance with Michigan's sex offender registration law. This is the state's seventh coordinated sex offender sweep in five years. In addition to Operation Verify, state police participate in several local and regional sweeps each year.

Operation Verify involved more than 120 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. For the first 12 days of February, officers conducted compliance checks at the registered residences of 1,512 offenders, resulting in the arrests for violations of the Michigan Sex Offenders Registration Act.

As of Jan. 25, 2010, there were 45,546 offenders in the Michigan Sex Offender Registry. Following the January verification period, 40,896 offenders were in compliance with the Michigan Sex Offenders Registration Act.

The state police Web site began featuring the names and photographs of 10 of the state's most wanted sex offender absconders in August 2006. As wanted individuals are located, new offenders are featured.

The public can provide information about any offender by contacting state police at 1-866-761-7678 or their local police department.

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On the Net:

Michigan Sex Offender Registry