Sheriff Mincks is committed to informing the citizens of Washington County where Sex Offenders are living in the county. The options below will assist you in your search for Sex Offenders who live in your neighborhood.
If you have any questions or comments about a Sex Offender living in your area, contact the Civil Office at 740-373-6623 ext. 4035 or 4010.
Sex Offender Classifications and Definitions
Beginning January 1, 2008 Ohio implemented a new classification system for offenders
convicted on sexual-related offenses.
Upon sentencing, a judge decides based on a number of factors, at which level the offender will immediately be classified. When the offender is released from confinement, moves to a new county of residence or begins a job or school, the offender must register with the sheriff within three days.
In addition to their residential, school and/or employment and personal identifying information, each sex offender who is legally required to register must provide the Sheriff’s Office with:
The license plate number of all vehicles to which they have access, including work vehicles, and where said vehicles are habitually parked.
Email addresses and internet identifiers, e.g. screen names, etc.
Registered phone numbers (home & cellular).
Classifications
Regardless of an offender’s age, any sexual offense subjects the offender to register as a sexually oriented offender. Crimes that are not explicitly sexual in nature but have a sexual motivation are also included in the sex offender registration statute, Section 2950.01 of the Ohio Revised Code.
TIER III OFFENDER
Offenders in this tier must register every ninety (90) days and must do so for life. Violators convicted of the following offenses of the Ohio Revised Code must register at this tier:
Rape
Sexual Battery
Aggravated Murder with sexual motivation
Murder with sexual motivation
Unlawful death with sexual motivation
Kidnapping of a minor to engage in sexual activity
Gross sexual imposition, child under 12
Kidnapping of a minor
Felonious assault with sexual motivation
Sexual offense committed by Tier 2 or Tier 3 offender
Attempt, complicity or conspiracy of an of these offenses
TIER II OFFENDER
Tier 2 offenders are required to register every six months and must do so for twenty-five (25) years. Tier 2 offenders are those convicted of any of the following:
Compelling prostitution
Pandering obscenity involving a minor
Pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor
Illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance
Unlawful sexual conduct with a minor – offender 4 years older than victim
Gross sexual imposition – victim under 13
Child endangering
Kidnapping with sexual motivation
Kidnapping victim over 18
Abduction with sexual motivation
Sexual offense committed by Tier 1 offender
Attempt, complicity or conspiracy of an of these offenses
TIER I OFFENDER
An offender in Tier 1 must register every year and must do so for fifteen years. Offenders convicted of these offenses are categorized as Tier 1:
Importuning
Unlawful sexual conduct with a minor – offender less than 4 years older than victim
Voyeurism
Sexual imposition
Gross sexual imposition
Child enticement with sexual motivation
Pandering obscenity
Menacing by stalking with sexual motivation
Unlawful restraint with sexual motivation
Child victim-offender not in Tier 2 or 3
Attempt, complicity or conspiracy of an of these offenses
Megan’s Law
Megan’s Law, which addresses sex offenders and child molesters was signed by President Clinton on May 17, 1996.
Megan’s Law was much needed, despite Washington State’s 1990 Community Protection Act which included America’s first law authorizing public notification when dangerous sex offenders are released into the community. It was the brutal 1994 rape and murder of seven-year-old Megan Kanka by a previously Registered Sex Offender that prompted the public demand for broad-based community notification.
Megan Kanka
Megan’s Law requires the following two components: Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification.
Sex Offender Registration
The 1994 Jacob Wetterling Act requires the States to register sex offenders registered of sex crimes against children. Sex offender registration laws are necessary because:
Sex offenders pose a high risk of re-offending after release from custody
Protecting the public from sex offenders is a primary governmental interest
The privacy interests of person convicted of sex offenses are less important than the government’s interest in public safety
Release of certain information about sex offenders to public agencies and the general public will assist in protecting the public safety
Sex Offender Community Notification
Megan’s Law allows the States discretion to establish criteria for disclosure, but compels them to make private and personal information on registered sex offenders available to the public.
Community notification:
Assist law enforcement in investigations
Establishes legal grounds to hold known sex offenders
Deters sex offenders from committing new sex offenses
Offers citizens information they can use to protect children from Registered Sex Offenders, child molesters, and victimization
