Sex offender registration sweep nets 12 arrests

Last week, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office domestic violence/sexual assault unit, in conjunction with a handful of county law enforcement agencies, conducted a wide sex offender compliance check, arresting 12 sex offenders in the process. The county houses roughly 800 registered sex offenders.
In a four-day effort called “Operation Clean Sweep,” the sheriff’s office, Rohnert Park Police Department, Sonoma Police Department, Santa Rosa Police Department, Sonoma County Probation, Sonoma County District Attorney investigators, Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Marshals, contacted 410 sex offenders and conducted 42 probation or parole searches. Law enforcement served six warrants, arrested one felon in possession of a handgun and another felon in possession of a stun gun. Additionally, two offenders were arrested for being in possession of illegal narcotics and another two were arrested for failure to register as sex offenders. Law enforcement also located and recovered a stolen car. According to the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, approximately 14 cases are under investigation for other sex offender violations.
California is one of the few states with a life term requirement for sex offenders. According to Sonoma County Sergeant Dave Berges, the sex offender law could be changed shortly, depending on whether or not Governor Jerry Brown will sign Senate Bill 384. The bill, which was presented to the governor on Sept. 22, would establish three tiers of registration based on specified criteria. Periods of sex offender registration would depend upon the type and number of convicted sex offenses. If signed, the law would go into effect Jan. 1, 2021.