Florida

“Operation Summer Heat” Makes 42 Sex Offender Non-Compliance Arrests

Nearly 20 Miami-Dade and Broward County sex offenders have been arrested for violating registration laws. This month and half-long operation, titled “Operation Summer Heat”, was coordinated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’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.”

Thus far, Operation Summer Heat has netted 42 arrests across the state of Florida. Arrests were made from either warrants filed by the FDLE’s EIS Unit or they were the result of the investigations by local sheriffs or police department. Created in 2014, the EIS aims to aid local and federal agencies in locating sex offenders who have absconded, many of whom have crossed jurisdictional lines. Seven offenders have been brought into registration compliance.

"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."

The Florida Sex Offender Registry began in 1997, and Florida law requires sex offenders to register with their local sheriff’s office. The register is publicly maintained online.

“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.”

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