Yolo County law enforcement conducted surprise compliance checks on more than 300 sexual offenders last week as part of Operation Vigilance, a program that started eight years ago with the goal to protect citizens by ensuring that sex offenders who live in the county are complying with all laws and probation directives, District Attorney Jeff Reisig announced.
The District Attorney’s Office coordinated Operation Vigilance in collaboration with all other Yolo County law-enforcement agencies.
More than 90 law-enforcement personnel from seven local, state and federal agencies participated in this joint operation. Many of the targeted offenders were previously convicted of rape, child molestation or possession of child pornography.
While many of the sex offenders investigated were in compliance, four sex offenders contacted were arrested for a variety of weapons, pornography and other violations. An additional 14 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 offenders’ computers, smartphones and other digital storage devices for potential violations.
Computer forensic investigators from the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and Department of Homeland Security worked together to conduct these specialized searches. A total of 65 devices were searched and 12 items were seized for further examination.
Reisig praised the efforts of all Yolo County law-enforcement agencies who monitor sex offenders.
“We completed a compliance check of 100 percent of the sex offenders that have a permanent address,” he said. “Operation Vigilance continues to serve as an additional deterrent to those known sex offenders who may be prone to re-offend.”