Monroe County Sheriff Tommy Jones is asking residents to keep an eye out for William Jeffery Massey, 60, who he says is wanted for violating Tennessee’s sex offender registry. In the public alert, Jones lists Massey’s date of birth as May 8, 1965, and describes him as about 6 feet tall and 165 pounds, with blue eyes and blond hair, so people know exactly who deputies are looking for.
Details From the Sheriff's Post
In Sheriff Tommy Jones's Facebook post, deputies tag the alert as part of their “Wanted Wednesday” series and say Massey is wanted for a violation of the sex offender registry. The post repeats Massey’s birth date, physical description, and other identifiers, and asks anyone who knows where he is to get in touch with investigators instead of trying to track him down on their own.
How To Report Tips
Anyone who thinks they recognize Massey is asked to call Lieutenant Billy Littleton at (423) 442-5002, ext. 5, or Monroe County Dispatch at (423) 442-4357, as reported by WVLT. Residents are urged not to confront anyone they believe to be wanted and to dial 911 if someone appears to pose an immediate danger. In other words, call it in and let the deputies handle the follow-up.
What A 'Registry Violation' Can Mean
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation runs the statewide Sex Offender Registry and spells out the registration and reporting rules that apply to qualifying offenders. Those rules include deadlines for reporting changes to addresses or employment, and failing to follow them can lead to criminal charges, according to the TBI Sex Offender Registry. Local law enforcement and prosecutors are responsible for enforcing those requirements when they believe someone is not in compliance.
Why Sheriff's 'Wanted' Posts Matter
Sheriff Jones has been leaning on Facebook in recent weeks to share wanted alerts, a strategy local coverage says can spark community tips that help move cases along, according to a recent wanted case in the county. These social media posts effectively turn followers into extra eyes on the street, while still reminding people to prioritize safety and use official reporting channels.
Legal Note
Tennessee’s sex offender registration and reporting rules are laid out in state statute, which details when and how offenders must report and what can happen if they do not, according to Tennessee law. The bottom line from authorities is straightforward: if you know something, pass it directly to investigators and do not take enforcement into your own hands.
