JOSEPHINE COUNTY, Ore. – From March 6 to 10, the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office led a multi-agency operation aimed at increasing public safety through comprehensive sex offender compliance checks and the apprehension of individuals with outstanding warrants. The operation, known as Operation Sentinel, was carried out in collaboration with several local, state, and federal agencies.
The primary focus of the operation was to ensure that sex offenders were in compliance with their registration requirements, with a particular emphasis on those who had failed to register, absconded, or were repeat offenders. Additionally, the operation targeted individuals with outstanding felony and misdemeanor warrants, including violent offenders and those who had fled prosecution.
Several agencies lent their expertise and resources to the operation, including the United States Marshals Service – Pacific Northwest Violent Offenders Task Force (USMS-PNVOTF), Oregon State Police, Grants Pass Police Department (GPPD), Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (R.A.D.E.), Josephine County Parole and Probation, the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), and the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office.
Key Outcomes of the Operation: The results of Operation Sentinel were significant, with authorities carrying out 624 compliance checks on registered sex offenders. Following these checks, 45 offenders were found to be out of compliance and were subsequently re-registered. In total, 87 actions were taken against offenders, including 19 felony warrant arrests, 5 misdemeanor warrant arrests, and 3 probationary detainers.
Additionally, authorities made one probable cause arrest for a stolen firearm and seized illegal drugs, including 5.8 grams of methamphetamine and 4.3 grams of fentanyl.
Notable Arrests: Among the high-profile arrests made during the operation was Gary Carden, who had an extensive criminal history and was wanted out of Florida on weapons charges. His apprehension was one of the operation’s most notable successes.
Another significant arrest came after a month-long investigation into an offender who had failed to register as a sex offender upon relocating to Josephine County from out of state. The individual had lived in the county for over six months without complying with registration laws. With the assistance of Las Vegas Metro Police, Oregon State Police Grants Pass Command, and the Oregon State Police Sex Offender Registration Section, the offender was located, arrested, and properly registered.
Reducing Recidivism and Enhancing Public Safety: The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office emphasized that the goal of Operation Sentinel was not only to hold offenders accountable but also to reduce the risk of recidivism. By ensuring that sex offender registrations are accurate and up-to-date, the operation aimed to make the county’s sex offender database a more reliable tool for safeguarding the community.
“We are dedicated to protecting our citizens by ensuring that all offenders are held accountable and that our sex offender registration system is precise and effective,” said a spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office. “This operation is a part of our ongoing commitment to keep Josephine County safe.”
Through collaboration and the diligent work of law enforcement, Operation Sentinel has made a significant impact on reducing the threat posed by non-compliant offenders and individuals with outstanding warrants. With the operation now concluded, the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to its mission of ensuring justice and safety for all residents of the community.