Registered sex offender arrested on felony registration violation charges in Franklin County

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ill. (KBSI) — A registered sex offender was arrested after investigators determined he was allegedly living at an unregistered address in Franklin County, according to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies received information July 6 that Robert W. Key, a registered sexual predator, may have been violating the Illinois Sex Offender Registration Act by living at a residence in Valier instead of his registered address in Zeigler.

Deputies responded to the Valier residence but were initially unable to locate Key.

When deputies returned the following morning, they found Key at the residence. Following an investigation, he was arrested and taken to the Franklin County Jail.

Key was charged with two counts of violating the Illinois Sex Offender Registration Act. Because of prior convictions, both charges were enhanced to Class 2 felonies.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office said it remains committed to investigating alleged violations of sex offender registration requirements and enforcing laws intended to promote public safety.

All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.