Kaufman County, Texas — Recent records from the Texas Department of Public Safety indicate that 380 registered sex offenders currently reside in Kaufman County. This troubling statistic points to significant concentrations in the cities of Terrell, Forney, and Kaufman. The data, which is regularly updated, can be accessed through the Texas Sex Offender Registry, allowing residents to search using various parameters such as name, address, or ZIP code.
A closer examination of the county's data reveals the following city-by-city distribution of registered offenders:
Terrell: 168
Forney: 83
Kaufman: 47
Crandall: 28
Kemp: 27
Scurry: 11
Mabank: 9
Heath: 6
Heartland: 5
Wills Point: 4
Mesquite: 2
Quinlan: 2
Rosser: 1
Among those listed, fourteen individuals are noted as incarcerated, transient, or deceased.
Understanding Registration Requirements
According to the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 62, individuals convicted of specific sexual or violent offenses are mandated to register their addresses with law enforcement. The offenses requiring registration include, but are not limited to:
Sexual assault and aggravated sexual assault
Indecency with a child (contact or exposure)
Continuous sexual abuse of a child
Possession or promotion of child pornography
Trafficking of persons involving sexual conduct
Online solicitation of a minor
Burglary with intent to commit a sexual offense
Depending on the conviction, registration may last for life. Offenders are required to verify their addresses at least once per year, with those classified as high risk needing to report more frequently.
Risk Levels Assigned to Offenders
In Texas, each registered offender is assigned a risk level based on evaluations conducted by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and local law enforcement agencies. The risk levels are categorized as follows:
Low Risk (Level 1): Unlikely to reoffend.
Moderate Risk (Level 2): Some potential risk based on history or behavior.
High Risk (Level 3): Most likely to reoffend, subject to stricter monitoring and community notification requirements.
These classifications take into account various factors, including criminal history, psychological assessments, the age of victims, and whether the offender has completed treatment or supervision.
Kaufman Sheriff's Monitoring Procedures
Kaufman Sheriff’s Public Information Officer Scott Whitaker states, “Sex Offender Registrants are classified as either annual or quarterly registrants. Annual registrants are assigned appointments based on their birthdate. Those required to verify their information quarterly must report every 90 days, as determined by the primary law enforcement authority. A person who registers annually typically has one sexually related offense, while those with two or more convictions for sexually violent offenses must register quarterly.”
Penalties for failing to comply with registration requirements can range from a state jail felony to a second-degree felony. The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 62, outlines the obligations of convicted sex offenders, including reporting any vehicles they own or drive, changes in residence, employment information, telephone numbers, email addresses, and social media accounts. Any changes in these reportable items must be communicated within seven days, except for relocations. When moving, offenders must report in person to the primary registration authority no later than seven days before their anticipated move and must report to the new law enforcement authority within seven days of changing their residence.
Compliance is monitored through unannounced periodic checks at the offender's residence or workplace.
Stay Informed: Check Your Neighborhood
Residents are encouraged to utilize the state’s interactive map to search their neighborhoods via the Texas Sex Offender Registry Portal. This tool allows users to input a street name or ZIP code to view nearby registered offenders, complete with photographs and details about their offenses. The Texas Sex Offender Registry is accessible to the public, providing offender photographs, physical descriptions, offenses, and current addresses. Officials emphasize that the purpose of this registry is to enhance public awareness without inciting harassment or vigilantism. Community members are encouraged to use this information responsibly and to report any violations or suspicious activities.
