Folsom police fanned out across the city this week in a multi-agency compliance sweep that put 27 registered sex offenders under the microscope and ended with two people in handcuffs. Teams used a detection dog trained to sniff out hidden electronics and searched several homes covered by probation or parole terms. Most of the registrants checked were in compliance, police said, although one person was flagged as out of compliance during the operation. The arrests included a Folsom man found with methamphetamine and fentanyl and a 74-year-old Placerville resident taken into custody on a warrant alleging annoying or molesting a minor.
Who Took Part And What Officers Checked
According to the Folsom Police Department, detectives coordinated the sweep with help from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, U.S. Federal Courts Probation and Sacramento County Probation. Together, they checked on 27 registered sex offenders and searched eight homes that are subject to probation or parole search terms. A specialized detection dog was brought along on visits to help uncover hidden electronic devices that can be important for monitoring and compliance checks.
Arrests And Alleged Offenses
As reported by Folsom Times, officers arrested 38-year-old Thomas Anckner of Folsom after finding methamphetamine and fentanyl in his possession. In a separate case, detectives arrested 74-year-old Gary Smith, a Placerville resident, on a warrant alleging a violation of Penal Code 647.6(a), described as annoying or molesting a minor, tied to an incident inside a Folsom store in March, according to police.
How Residents Can Check The Registry
California law requires registered sex offenders to appear on the state's Megan's Law website, which can be searched by name, address or ZIP code. Residents who want to see who is required to register in their neighborhood can use the public database at Megan's Law, the department noted in its post.
Legal Note
The warrant in the Placerville case cites Penal Code 647.6(a), the statute often referred to as annoying or molesting a child. It is typically charged as a misdemeanor but can be upgraded depending on prior convictions or aggravating circumstances and carries potential jail time and fines. For a breakdown of how the offense is charged and possible penalties, see the California criminal instructions at Justia/CALCRIM.
What Comes Next
The department said more compliance sweeps are on the way as part of its ongoing approach to monitoring registrants and supporting community safety. Folsom Times reports the arrests came after standard follow-up work and case review by detectives.
