JEFFERSON COUNTY, Florida — A collaborative operation by Florida law enforcement agencies resulted in the arrest of five sexual offenders and predators for violations of state registration laws.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s (FDLE) Missing Persons and Offender Enforcement Division, in conjunction with the Tallahassee Regional Operations Center, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Monticello Police Department, and Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office, conducted the operation to ensure compliance with Florida’s registration laws. The initiative led to 71 successful address verifications, five arrests for registration violations, and the identification of one absconded career offender, according to a press release from the FDLE.
The individuals arrested include 47-year-old Patrick Hawkins, 41-year-old Samuel Smith, 62-year-old Sylvester Hamm, 55-year-old Jack Johnson, and 62-year-old Robert Jones. They face charges such as failure to maintain a Florida driver license or identification card and failure to report changes in phone numbers, vehicles, employment, and internet identifiers. Jones also faces an additional charge of possession of marijuana…