The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office in Madisonville is putting a spotlight on 57-year-old Todd Lee Hopkins, asking the public to help track him down after officials say he violated probation by failing to register as a sex offender.
Deputies describe Hopkins as a white male, 5 feet 11 inches tall and about 160 pounds, with hazel eyes and a bald head. His case turned up in the sheriff’s weekly “wanted” lineup on social media Wednesday, part of a regular push to flush out people with active warrants.
Details From The Sheriff's Post
According to Facebook, Sheriff Tommy Jones identified Hopkins by name and date of birth, listing him as born on Nov. 1, 1968. The post says he is wanted on a probation violation tied to his alleged failure to register as a sex offender.
The social media alert includes a recent photo and physical description to help residents recognize him, and it asks anyone who knows where he might be to contact investigators using the phone numbers provided in the message.
How To Report Tips
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office website provides the main non-emergency line and other public contact information, while the Facebook notice gives direct tip numbers for investigators handling this case. For current contact options and office hours, check the Monroe County Sheriff's Office website.
Officials say residents who see Hopkins or have immediate, actionable information should call 911 or use the tip numbers from the sheriff’s post instead of attempting to approach him themselves.
Why Failure To Register Is Treated As A Felony
Guidance from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation explains that state law requires qualifying offenders to register in person and update their information within strict time limits. Knowingly failing to register or to make those updates on time can be prosecuted as a felony under Tennessee statute.
The TBI outlines how often registrants must report, when they have to update details such as address changes, and what penalties can follow for repeated or intentional violations. Those rules help explain why local agencies move quickly when someone on the registry stops checking in as required.
Monroe County's Social Media Search Effort
Sheriff Jones’ Facebook bulletins fit into a broader trend of departments leaning on social media to widen the net for people with outstanding warrants. Monroe County has turned these posts into a regular feature, and earlier cases have drawn useful tips from the community, according to local coverage.
One prior social media manhunt highlighted how the same strategy was used in another suspected probation-violation case, while national reporting has shown similar “Wanted Wednesday” efforts popping up in departments across the country. The idea is straightforward: give the public key details, then route any leads straight back to law enforcement.
In this case, anyone who recognizes Hopkins or has information about where he might be is asked to call Lt. Billy Littleton at (423) 442-5002 ext. 5 or Monroe County Dispatch at (423) 442-4357, according to the sheriff’s Facebook alert. For general questions about the agency and additional contact information, residents can turn to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office website. Deputies continue to stress that people should not confront anyone they believe to be wanted, and should instead pass tips directly to authorities.
