News


Summer Heat

 
For Immediate Release June 25, 2015

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, along with the U.S. Marshals Service and local law enforcement agencies throughout Florida, arrested 42 sexual offenders after they violated registration laws. The arrests were part of a month and a half-long operation coordinated by FDLE’s Enforcement and Investigative Support (EIS) Unit.

“Operation Summer Heat should send a strong message to all sex offenders that Florida law enforcement is serious about registration,” said FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen. “We are just beginning our work. If you are a sex offender and you violate registration laws, we are looking for you.”

Arrests were made from either warrants initiated by FDLE’s EIS Unit or were the result of investigations by local sheriffs or police departments. EIS was created in 2014 to assist local and federal agencies to locate sex offenders who have absconded, many of whom cross jurisdictional lines. Offenders who intentionally avoid registration requirements are arrested. In addition to the arrests, seven offenders were brought into registration compliance.

“The sex offender registration system is a critical tool in monitoring sex offenders and ensuring they are compliant with the terms of their release,” said Sheriff David Shoar, president of the Florida Sheriffs Association. “Florida Sheriffs and deputies worked diligently during Operation Summer Heat to find and arrest offenders who sought to evade authorities. We are sending a very clear message: if you cannot follow sex offender registration laws, you will go to jail.”

"Sex offenders should know that Florida will not tolerate noncompliance with our registry laws," said Jupiter Police Chief Frank Kitzerow, President of the Florida Police Chiefs Association. "Our police departments throughout the state will continue to enforce these laws because they help protect our families and neighborhoods."

Florida’s Sex Offender Registry began in 1997. Florida laws require sexual offenders to register with local sheriff’s offices to be maintained publically online at http://offender.fdle.state.fl.us
 

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Priorities

FDLE is composed of five areas: Executive Direction and Business Support, Criminal Investigations and Forensic Science, Criminal Justice Information, Criminal Justice Professionalism and Florida Capitol Police. FDLE’s duties, responsibilities and procedures are mandated through Chapter 943, FS, and Chapter 11, FAC. To learn more about these areas, read our Statement of Agency Organization and Operation or visit our Open Government page.