MSP to conduct sex offender sweep

LANSING, Mich. (WOOD) - Law enforcement agencies across Michigan will join together Oct. 16 to 30 to focus investigative efforts on finding people in violation of the Michigan Sex Offenders Registration Act.

The effort, dubbed Operation Verify, is the state's ninth annual sex offender sweep.

"This sweep occurs following the October quarterly verification period because that allows for a more accurate list of noncompliant offenders," Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue, director of the Michigan State Police, said in a news release. "This means any registered offender who wants to spare themselves a visit from a trooper should verify their address with law enforcement as soon as possible."

The Michigan Sex Offenders Registration Act requires registered sex offenders to regularly report to their local law enforcement agency, sheriff's office, or nearest state police post to verify their address. Tier 1 offenders must to verify their address annually, during the first 15 days of January. Tier 2 offenders must verify their address semi-annually, during the first 15 days of January and July. Tier 3 offenders must verify their address quarterly, during the first 15 days of January, April, July and October. Failure to do so carries a penalty of up to two years of incarceration.

All registered sex offenders must also report a change of name, address, employment, campus enrollment, Internet identifiers and vehicle within three business days of any change. Failure to do so is a four-year felony.

In addition to Operation Verify, the MSP participates in several local and regional sweeps each year. The department also maintains a list of the Most Wanted Sex Offenders at www.michigan.gov/absconders. As of Oct. 1, there were 40,155 offenders on the Michigan Sex Offender Registry; 37,261 offenders were in compliance with the registry's requirements.