Williamson County Sheriff’s deputies arrest 17, looking for 11 in sex offender compliance operation

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Ill. (KBSI) – The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office concluded a 10-day sex offender compliance operation on March 7 that included full accountability of all registered sex offenders.

Williamson County Sheriff’s deputies began a round-up the morning of Wednesday, March 6 with outstanding arrest warrants.

Arrest warrants were issued for 28 people charged with violating the Sex Offender Registration Act, a class 3 felony.

Deputies arrested 17 people and continue to search for the remaining 11.

Arrest warrants have been issued for Lowell L. Skelton, Billy J. Jeralds, Gregory S. Emery, Edward J. Bates, Donald L. Arocho, Shannon C. Barnes, Michael R. Colson, Jason E. Schamel, Scott A. Evans, Michael S. Buen and George C. McClellen.

Those arrested include Paul R. Bradley, Lynn A. Dewitt, Derek M. McCaster, Sean M. Gueterstoh, Roy D. King, John P. Tucker, Michael L. Findley, James E. Henshaw, Scott Williamson, Jazmine C. Dwight, Shawn M. Burgess, Amanda N. Bastien,  Lonnie C. Mathenia, William M. Longwell, Alyssa R. Walker, Michael L. Hammonds and Terry L. Norris. They were taken to the Williamson County Jail.

“Convicted sex offenders, required by law to register, must do so at the Sheriff’s Office or their local police department depending on where they reside,” said Williamson County Sheriff Jeff Diederich. “Convicted sex offenders are well informed of these requirements and those who choose to ignore this responsibility will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. This requirement should come as no surprise as the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office manages the process with those required to register on a daily basis and on July 7, 2023, took similar action to charge 36 individuals with this same violation.”

Registration makes a person’s previous violations and residential address public information allowing citizens of our community to remain informed and manage any interaction their children or families might have with an offender.

Over the past several weeks the sheriff’s deployed nearly two dozen deputies.

Investigators charged with making site visits to the registered addresses of both offender’s homes and work to verify timely and accurate registration compliance.

State’s Attorney Ted Hampson assisted.

Anyone who is listed as having an arrest warrant and not in custody is encouraged to immediately surrender his/herself to the Williamson County Sheriff at 404 North Van Buren Street in Marion.

Williamson County Sheriff’s deputies with their law enforcement partners are actively looking for those wanted.

Anyone with information concerning this or any other investigation is asked to contact the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office at 618-997-6541 or “Submit A Tip” on the Williamson County Sheriff’s App.