Sex Offender Information
County Sheriff’s Role
The County Sheriff is responsible under Ohio law for the registration of sex offenders. Sex offenders must register with the County Sheriff on scheduled periodic bases, which is determined by their sex offender Tier classification. In addition, sex offenders must register with the County Sheriff any change of residential address, place of employment, or enrollment in a school or institution of higher education.
Adam Walsh Act
On January 1, 2008 Ohio’s Sex Offender Registration laws changed. Ohio became one of the first states in the nation to adopt the provisions of the Adam Walsh Act. The Adam Walsh Act was passed and signed into federal law in 2006. It required states to implement the provisions and guidelines of the Adam Walsh Act or risk losing federal block grant money. The intent of the Adam Walsh Act is to provide a universal method of determining sex offender classifications and the requirements of those classifications in all states nationwide.
The Adam Walsh Act replaces previous sex offender classification designations such as Sexual Predator, or Sexually Oriented Offender, with Tier classification designations. The Tier classification designations for sex offenders are determined by the criminal offense or offenses the offender was convicted of. The Adam Walsh Act was retroactive and included the re-classification of all sex offenders previously convicted as well as determining the classification of all sex offenders convicted in the future.
Ohio Offenses Under Adam Walsh Act Tiers
| Tier 1 | Tier 2 | Tier 3 |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Importuning 2907.07 | 1. Compelling Prostitution 2907.21 | 1. Rape 2907.02 |
| 2. Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor 2907.04 (B)(2), unless consensual, case then not registration offense | 2. Pandering Obscenity Involving a Minor 2907.321 | 2. Sexual Battery 2907.03 |
| 3. Voyeurism 2907.08 (C ) and (D) against a minor | 3. Pandering Sexually Oriented Material Involving a Minor 2907.322 | 3. Aggravated Murder with Sexual Motivation 2903.01 |
| 4. Sexual Imposition 2907.06 | 4. Illegal Use of a Minor in Nudity-oriented Material or Performance 2907.323 (A)(1) & (2) | 4. Murder with Sexual Motivation 2903.02 |
| 5. Gross Sexual Imposition 2907.05 (A)(1)-(3) (5) | 5. Child Endangering 2919.22 (B)(5) | 5. Unlawful Death or Termination of Pregnancy As A Result of Committing or Attempting to Commit a Felony with Sexual Motivation 2903.04 |
| 6. Illegal Use of a Minor in Nudity-oriented Material or Performance 2907.323 (A)(3) (AWA non-Ohio) | 6. Kidnapping with Sexual Motivation 2905.01 (A)(1)(3)(5) | 6. Kidnapping of Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity 2905.01(A)(4) |
| 7. Voyeurism 2907.08 (A)(B) & (E) (Ohio, non-AWA) | 7. Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor 2907.04 (B)(1)(3)(4) | 7. Kidnapping of Minor, Not By Parent 2905.01(B) |
| 8. Child Enticement 2905.05 (sexual motivation) (Ohio, non-AWA) | 8. Any Sexual Offense that occurs after the offender has been classified as a Tier I sex offender | 8. Gross Sexual Imposition 2907.05 (A)(4) (Under 13)* |
| 9. Felonious Assault with Sexual Motivation 2903.11** | ||
| 10. Any Sexual Offense that occurs after the offender has been classified as a Tier II sex offender |
* Federal offense is victim under 16 ** comparable to Attempted Sexual Abuse 18 USCS 2242
Ohio Sex Offender Search
The Williams County Sheriff’s Office has provided a link for Ohio Sex Offender searches. Visiting the site allows you to not only search for offenders by name but also by address. You can also sign up to track specific sex offenders movements by email with a simple form.
Report an Unregistered Sex Offender
If you find that a sex offender is visiting, living with, or has moved into Williams County and you do not believe they are registered with the Williams County Sheriff’s Office please call 419-636-3151 immediately.
The Shaq Shield
About the App
Shaq Shield is a free iPhone app that provides parents with the tools and knowledge they need to protect their children from online predators. Features of the app include:
Glossary of Internet terminology
Internet safety tips
Lingo used by children online
Pledges by parents and children for shared internet responsibility
A Sex Offender Registry search
Download the App
Guard your children from online predators. Download Shaq Shield from the iTunes App Store today.