Sex Offenders Get Surprise Visit

Alabama Mobile U.S. Marshals launch Operation House Call to surprise sex offenders living in Mobile County.

by Jessica Taloney

Published: Thu, May 21, 2009 - 10:30 am CST Last Updated: Thu, May 21, 2009 - 11:48 am CST

More than 300 convicted sex offenders calling Mobile County home got a surprise visit from investigators this week.

The United States Marshals Service teamed up with the FBI and eight local law enforcement agencies for Operation House Call, a secret effort to make sure sex offenders are living where they say they do.

Alabama law requires convicted sex offenders to register their address in a state-wide database and verify the address twice a year, but the verification is typically scheduled.

"It's always a concern that sex offenders are not living where they say they are living," said Dana Godwin, a spokesperson for the Mobile Police Department, who praised law enforcement's surprise operation. "We do an excellent job in the southern part of the state and in Mobile County of verifying and keeping track of these sex offenders," said Godwin.

Of the 346 sex offenders registered with Mobile County addresses, 37 could not be found during the three day effort, which began Monday and wrapped up on Wednesday. Two registered offenders were discovered to be in the custody of the Alabama Department of Corrections, and one was arrested on a probation violation warrant from Texas.

David Smith, a 47 year old who was released from prison in 2005, is among the 37 sex offenders whose address could not be verified. Smith was convicted in 1999 for sexual abuse, and he claimed to be living at motel on Government Boulevard. The motel manager said Smith is not a resident.

The results of the address verification from 22 offenders living in Saraland and Bayou La Batre are pending.

U.S Marshals will launch a further investigation into the whereabouts of the 37 unverified sex offenders and charges against them could be filed.

The local agencies who participated in Operation House Call include the Mobile Police Department, Mobile Sheriff's Office, Prichard Police Department, Bayou La Batre Police Department, Saraland Police Department, South Alabama Police Department, Mobile Community Corrections and Alabama State Board of Pardons and Parole.

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ethansmuma Says:

Fri, May 22, 2009 at 7:29 am

Good story!!! It is nice to hear that there are efforts being taken to keep sex offenders on a tight leash. Personally, I think every person convicted of a sex crime should be branded right in the middle of their forehead for all to see.
It’s all about actions and consequences. Our system is too forgiving.

southfan1981 Says:

Thu, May 21, 2009 at 2:04 pm

Did the cops knock on any doors at 6AM?

KxVicious Says:

Thu, May 21, 2009 at 11:33 am

Goldie, did you go to public school?

rmseek1234 Says:

Thu, May 21, 2009 at 10:48 am

Well it’s not a secret operation anymore-lol. Sure there will be some saying the sex offenders were imposed upon….Or bashing this effort to keep the streets safe….

goldie Says:

Thu, May 21, 2009 at 10:40 am

They do good job. Sum wanna protect criminal tho