Deputies Conduct Weeklong Sex Offender Compliance Operation Across Johnston County

SMITHFIELD, N.C. — A weeklong address verification operation by the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office resulted in four new warrants being sought against registered sex offenders accused of failing to report a change of address and led to the arrests of two fugitives wanted on sex offender-related charges.

Deputies conducted the countywide operation last week to verify that registered sex offenders were living at the addresses listed on the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry. State law requires registered sex offenders to notify the sheriff’s office whenever they change their address.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, Johnston County currently has 349 registered sex offenders.

During the operation, deputies confirmed that 292 offenders were living at their registered addresses. Another 31 offenders are currently incarcerated in state or federal prisons, seven are being held in local jails, and 13 are registered as homeless.

The Sheriff’s Office also reported six offenders were wanted on active sex offender-related charges. With assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, two of those individuals were located and are now being held in the Johnston County Detention Center.

In addition, deputies are obtaining four new warrants against registered sex offenders accused of failing to report a change of address as required by law.

Sheriff Steve Bizzell said, “I want to thank our deputies that went across the county to locate and confirm that these individuals are living where they say they were. We will continue to keep our records updated to ensure that the Johnston County portion of the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry is updated and accurate.”