Boozman Announces Sex Offender Task Force

Press Release

Calls multi-jurisdictional task force "vital weapon" to protect families

U.S. Representative John Boozman (R-AR) today joined with the U.S. Marshals Service and U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Arkansas, and members of several local law enforcement agencies, in announcing the formation of a regional task force to combat sexual predators in the Third District.

"Today is an important date for the children and families of the Third District," Boozman said. "Today, four of our district's largest counties will come together to take on sexual offenders, and I am happy to join the men and women of ten local and federal law enforcement agencies in announcing this important combined effort which will serve as a vital weapon to protect our families."

The regional task force will combine the efforts of the Benton, Crawford, Sebastian and Washington County Sheriff's Offices; the Bentonville, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Rogers, Siloam Springs, Springdale, and Van Buren Police Departments; the U.S. Marshals Service for the Western District of Arkansas; and the Western District U.S. Attorney's Office. The task force will be funded by grants awarded to the Sebastian County Sheriff's Office ($507,850) and Benton County Sheriff's Office ($550,000) announced in September. The grants come from the Department of Justice's Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program, and will be used to develop a multi-jurisdictional task force, which will identify, investigate, arrest and prosecute sex offenders. The task force will designate investigators from the participating agencies and use purchased equipment, public and private computer databases, confidential informants, anonymous tips, and cooperation with other law enforcement agencies to bring criminals to justice.

"In the age of the Internet, and the ease of travel among the I-540 corridor, it is important to create a regional effort to take on sexual predators on all fronts," Boozman said. "I am extremely pleased with, and proud of, the leadership offered by U.S. Attorney Bob Balfe, Marshal Richard O'Connell, and the chiefs and sheriffs of both the River Valley and Northwest Arkansas to create this regional task force.

"It is my hope that this task force can serve as a model of how a region can come together to combat crime and solve the needs of its residents," Boozman added.

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