DETROIT (WJBK) - Nearly two dozen sex offenders in Detroit are behind bars after a 3-day sweep by authorities last week. The 23 offenders were taken into custody on outstanding felony warrants following a collaborative effort to locate and arrest the non-compliant sex offenders in the city.
Investigators went through and checked the addresses listed for 252 sex offenders in Detroit, which resulted in 76 warrants being authorized in Wayne County. Investigators will continue to work to apprehend the remaining offenders.
Registered sex offenders are required to report a change of address within three business days when they move or vacate a residence. Offenders who fail to report an address change can face a four-year felony conviction.
Additionally, the Michigan Sex Offenders Registration Act requires registered sex offenders to regularly report to their area law enforcement agency, sheriff's office or nearest state police post to verify their address.
Tier 1 offenders must verify their address annually during the month of their birth. Tier 2 offenders must verify their address semi-annually. Tier 3 offenders must verify their address quarterly. Failure to do so carries a penalty of up to two years of incarceration.
The Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry can be viewed at www.michigan.gov/psor.
Troopers and analysts from the Michigan State Police Sex Offender Registry Unit, Metro Post and Second District Fugitive Team joined forces with the United States Marshals Service, Michigan Department of Corrections Absconder Recovery Unit, Michigan Department of Corrections Parole, Michigan Department of Corrections Macomb Circuit Court Probation, Detroit Police Department, Sterling Heights Police Department and Wayne County Prosecutor's Office for the collaborative enforcement effort.