A sex offender from Meigs County was arrested at McGhee-Tyson Airport for failing to comply with travel notification requirements of the sex offender registry. On Wednesday, officials from various law enforcement agencies came together to prevent the adult male, originally from California, from departing on an unauthorized trip to Belize.
According to District Attorney General Russell Johnson's social media post, the offender, who had been residing in Meigs County for roughly three years, has been checking in annually with the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office. Sex offender regulations demand that any planned international travel must be reported at least 21 days prior to departure. However, this man's plans were not reported, triggering a response from the U.S. Marshals, who tipped off local authorities.
Johnson’s social media post elaborates on Tuesday's events, when DTF Deputy Director Brendan Deboer and a federal agent, both in plain clothes, approached the man as he stood with his female companion and another couple at the airport gate. He was discreetly identified and then led away to be taken into custody by airport police. According to the same post, the offender's travel companions continued with their plans without him.
The unnamed individual was initially held at the Blount County Jail before being transferred back to Meigs County for further questioning. "A violation of this nature of the state sex offender registry carries a mandatory minimum 90 days in jail," Johnson explained on his Facebook page. Furthermore, there is a possibility of federal prosecution in addition to the state charges.
Johnson shared this information to highlight the scrutiny sex offenders face and the consequences for violating registry rules. The Tennessee Sex Offender Registry is a resource maintained by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and can be accessed to further understand these legal requirements and check on registered individuals.
