Yolo County law enforcement officers conducted surprise compliance checks on more than 340 sexual offenders last week and found 98 percent of them following the guidelines of their release, District Attorney Jeff Reisig announced.
“Operation Vigilance” is a program that began seven years ago with the goal of protecting Yolo County citizens by ensuring that sex offenders who live in the county are complying with all laws and probation directives.
The Yolo County District Attorney’s Office coordinated “Operation Vigilance” in collaboration with all other Yolo County law-enforcement agencies.
More than 90 law enforcement personnel from 11 local, state, and federal agencies participated in this joint operation, which targeted offenders previously convicted of rape, child molestation or possession of child pornography.
Overall, 98 percent of the sex offenders investigated were in compliance. One sex offender contacted was arrested for weapon and drug violations. Another six of these offenders are the subject of further investigation to determine whether or not they are in compliance.
One unique aspect of “Operation Vigilance” is that while officers are making home visits with registered sex offenders, forensic examiners search the offender’s computers, smartphones and other digital storage devices for potential violations.
Computer forensic investigators from the DA’s Office, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and Department of Homeland Security worked together to conduct these specialized searches. A total of 64 devices were searched and one item was seized for further examination.
Reisig praised the efforts of all Yolo County law enforcement agencies who monitor sex offenders.
“For the second year in a row, we were able to demonstrate that these supervision efforts have resulted in a 98 percent compliance rate for sex offenders living in Yolo County,” Reisig said. “Operation Vigilance continues to serve as an additional deterrent to those known sex offenders who may be prone to reoffend.”