Convicted sex offender arrested in Franklin County for registration violations

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ill., (KBSI) — Authorities arrested a convicted sexual predator Tuesday after discovering he was living near a public park in Buckner, Illinois.

Fred E. Smith, 38, was taken into custody by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and charged with unlawful failure to register as a sex offender, a Class 3 felony, and unlawful child sex offender residing within 500 feet of a public park, a Class 4 felony.

Smith, who last registered in Chicago, had been non-compliant with registration requirements since 2021, officials said. He had been living at a residence adjacent to Buckner City Park for several weeks.

Smith is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The public can access sex offender information through the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office mobile app or the Illinois State Police website.