The U.S. Marshals-led Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is putting cash on the table for information that helps track down three registered sex offenders who have dropped off the radar. The men, all required by law to keep authorities updated on where they live, are now considered fugitives and were last known to be in Cleveland, according to officials.
Investigators say tipsters can stay anonymous, and reward money is available for information that leads directly to an arrest. Authorities are urging residents to take a second look at what they know, pay attention to faces in their neighborhoods, and report any credible sightings.
Who the Marshals Are Looking For
The task force is searching for three men with prior sex offense convictions:
- Bruce Carroll, 59, convicted of rape
- Bernard Patterson, 33, convicted of gross sexual imposition and kidnapping
- Matthew Hensley, 43, convicted of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor
All three are registered sex offenders who have been flagged as non-compliant after failing to report their current addresses, and each was last known to be in Cleveland. The names and basic case details were released by the Marshals Service and reported by Cleveland19.
How to Submit a Tip
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of these men is asked to contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833). Tips can also be submitted online through the U.S. Marshals Service web portal.
According to the U.S. Marshals, reward money is available and callers or online tipsters may remain anonymous.
Why Authorities Are Spotlighting Non-Compliant Registrants
The task force says it has recently ramped up efforts to verify addresses for sex offenders who are supposed to stay on law enforcement’s radar. In January, that push helped locate seven fugitives wanted for failing to register.
Officials say they plan to keep the pressure on by releasing information on non-compliant cases in monthly media updates, hoping public attention will shake loose new leads. “Past, present, and future cooperation with our state and local partners is what makes our communities safer,” U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott said in a Marshals release.
The renewed focus reflects the agency’s broader strategy of using community tips to find offenders who might still pose a risk to nearby residents, according to the U.S. Marshals.
Legal Penalties for Failing to Register
Under Ohio law, sex offenders must report new addresses and verify where they live on a schedule set by their classification level. Skipping those requirements is not just a technicality, it is a separate crime.
The Ohio Revised Code links the punishment for failing to register to the seriousness of the original sex offense, which means missed notifications can lead to felony charges and additional prison time. For the full legal breakdown, see Ohio Revised Code.
What to Look For
Photos and more specific identifying details for the three men were released in the Marshals notice and in local coverage. Those images and descriptions are meant to help residents recognize a possible sighting.
For the latest photos and a short case summary, see the task force notice as reported by Cleveland19. If you believe you have seen one of the men and there is an immediate threat, call 911. For non-emergency information, contact the NOVFTF tip line.
