The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help to track down Emmanuel L. Chowning, a 40-year-old Indianapolis man authorities say has failed to register as a sex or violent offender. Deputies describe Chowning as a 5-foot-6, 125-pound Black male with black hair and brown eyes. The sheriff’s office says he has a prior sexual battery conviction and is currently the subject of an active warrant tied to alleged registry violations.
In a post on the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, deputies identify the man as Emmanuel L. Chowning and specify that he is wanted under a Marion County cause number for Failure to Register as a Sex or Violent Offender. The post lists his date of birth as Jan. 19, 1986, and notes a prior conviction for sexual battery in Marion County. The sheriff’s office adds that anyone with knowledge of his location can use established tip lines or the department’s safe-surrender option if Chowning chooses to turn himself in.
Registry records and local context
Public registry listings line up with the sheriff’s account, showing a sexual battery conviction in January 2008 and recording Chowning’s height, weight, and birth date consistent with the MCSO description, according to OffenderRadar. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office has been running a weekly feature that spotlights non-compliant registrants, a practice previously reported on and covered by local outlets as part of a broader push to locate people who have fallen off the radar.
Legal consequences for non-compliance
Under Indiana law, knowingly failing to register or to update required registration information can be charged as a felony. The statute that governs registration violations allows for a Level 6 felony, and in some situations a higher-level offense, depending on prior convictions and the circumstances of the case. Possible penalties include prison time and fines, as outlined in the state code that covers sex and violent offender registration. For a summary of the statute and potential penalties, see FindLaw.
How to report tips or surrender
Anyone who knows where Chowning might be is asked to call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-TIPS (8477) or submit information through the group’s anonymous tip system. The sheriff’s office says Chowning can also call the MCSO safe-surrender line at 317-327-SAFE (7233) if he chooses to turn himself in, consistent with guidance described in the department’s outreach. Crime Stoppers notes that tips can be submitted anonymously and may be eligible for a reward in qualifying cases, and they remind residents not to confront the individual themselves but instead pass along credible information to law enforcement.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office describes its approach to registration violations as zero tolerance and urges anyone with information to contact authorities promptly rather than simply posting about a possible sighting on social media.
