OPERATION DESERT GUARDIAN CONDUCTS
COMPLIANCE CHECKS ON SEX OFFENDERS
LA PAZ COUNTY, Ariz- The United States Marshals Service AZ WANTED Violent Offender Task Force and Child Predator Apprehension Team conducted Operation Desert Guardian from February 9-10. Operation Desert Guardian targeted sex offenders in the La Paz County area and the cities within, as well as the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) Reservation. Compliance checks were conducted on registered sex offenders in a collaborative effort with state and local partners.
The primary focus of Operation Desert Guardian was to validate information provided by sex offenders during the registration and periodic re-registration requirements under Arizona State Law. Sex offenders not in compliance with state or tribal law were sent to appropriate agencies for further investigation. Certain cases may become federal investigations due to offenders violating the Sex Offender Registration Notification Act (SORNA) which is part of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006.
On July 15, 2010, in accordance with SORNA, the Colorado River Indian Tribes established their own Sex Offender Registration Code (SORC). The new code mandated all sex offenders who are residing, employed, or a student must register with the tribal police department. A deadline of February 9, 2011, instructed all sex offenders on the reservation to be compliant.
During the course of the operation, a total of 118 compliance checks were completed which yielded in 2 non-compliant arrests. In addition, 14 arrest warrants were served within the reservation and La Paz County.
Operation Desert Guardian included participants from the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Border Patrol, Yuma Police Department, La Paz County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado River Indian Tribes Police Department, Parker Police Department, Quartzsite Police Department and La Paz County Probation Office.
District of Arizona U.S. Marshal David Gonzales stated, “The primary goal of these types of operations is to monitor sex offenders to ensure they are complying with state, federal and tribal laws. There is a high recidivism rate among sex offenders, and arresting those in non-compliance greatly reduces the number of potential victims of sex-related crimes. “
The United States Marshals Service is the nation’s oldest federal law enforcement agency. Annually, U.S. Marshals arrest more than 50 percent of all federal fugitives and serve more federal warrants than all other federal agencies combined. For more information other USMS Top 15 fugitives and USMS Major Cases, go to www.usmarshals.gov.
