Nearly 20% of Osceolans on state registry were arrested in June During Operation Silver Spur
State records show about 660 individuals in Osceola County are on the state’s Florida Department of Law Enforcement sex offender registry, who must be in full compliance with the laws and procedures regarding it to keep from going back to jail.
For 126 of them, arrested as part of “Operation Silver Spur,” they didn’t do things like verify their registered addresses, properly register vehicles or cell phone numbers, or they kept social media accounts that were in violation of their offender status. State law dictates sex offenders and predators are required to maintain their registries with up-to-date information.
Or … they head back to jail. Osceola County Sheriff Christopher Blackmon was joined at a Monday press conference to announce the operation and arrests by Middle District of Florida U.S. Marshall for the William Berger and a fleet of U.S. Marshalls, Lt.
Governor Jay Collins and Florida Department of Corrections Probation Administrator Officer Colleen Brady.
Blackmon called finding sexual predators who operate outside of the guidelines presented to them, “Taking proactive action.”
“We are bringing the full weight of local state and federal office against anyone who preys on the vulnerable,” he said. “If you break the law across Osceola County, we will find you. If you threaten our families, we will stop you, the watch never ends, and neither will our commitment.”
It took just one month, the month of June, to make a number of arrests that equals nearly a fifth of those in Osceola County on the FDLE sex offender registry.
“That number is ridiculously high, but to me one is too many,” Blackmon said. “We’re mandated by law to do this. Every quarter we have to check the predators. This is an ongoing process we continue as the law requires.
Collins said the action rationalizes Gov. Ron DeSantis’ move to appoint Blackmon as Sheriff when deposed Sheriff Marcos Lopez was removed for his alleged role in an illegal gambling ring and the racketeering charges that went with it.
“When he got appointed, he said his job was to take care of those who were at risk who were vulnerable: children and the elderly,” Collins said. “(Blackmon) has followed through on that so much more. This is not a small issue. It is a very bedrock of a strong safe community.
