Sex offender sweep in Jennings leads to five arrests

A sweep of convicted sex offenders registered in Jennings County led to the arrest of five men.

According to the Jennings County sheriff’s Department, on Wednesday deputies conducted a check on all 80 of the registered sex offenders in the county. The blitz was meant to ensure that all of those on the list were complying with the rules and regulations of the registry.

Convicted sex offenders are required to annually register information to authorities including their address, phone number, vehicles they own or operate and have valid ID or driver’s license with their current address. Failing to complete those registration requirements is a felony.

In the Jennings County blitz, five people were arrested on felony charges of failing to register a sex offender. Those included:

54 year old Scot Smith, 37-year-old Ryan Smigelski, 51-year-old Chad Smallwood, and 31- year-old Justin Owens, all of North Vernon and 50-year-old Roy Fields of Butlerville.

Chief Deputy Cody Low said that the department takes a zero tolerance approach toward violations of the registry requirements. He said that the checks were especially important ahead of the holidays.