Local
Sweep targets sex offenders who fail to register
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Cops from five local law enforcement agencies hit the streets early
Thursday morning looking for sex offenders who have failed to notify authorities about where they live.

"Out of all the criminals on the street with whom we deal with, the kind that are most likely to re-offend are the sex criminals. So it is critical
that we know where they live," said Kern County District Attorney
Ed Jagels.

The operation included the Kern County Sheriff's Department, Bakersfield Police Department, Kern County Probation, Kern County District Attorney's Office and the federal Immigration Enforcement Control or ICE.

In Lamont, 50 year-old Jose Guzman Zarate was taken into custody on the 10000 block of San Diego Street. Guzman has a prior conviction for lewd and lascivious conduct with a minor under 14. Police say he has failed to register and is also an illegal immigrant.

"He's going to be charged with an additional felony count to register as a sex offender and then the Immigration Department will have the ability
to deport him again if they so chose," said Kern County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Vince Martinez.

There are approximately 1500 registered sex offenders in Kern County.
The overwhelming majority, between 1200 and 1300 live in Bakersfield
says Bakersfield Police Sgt. Greg Terry.

Preliminary numbers show police arrested 7 sex offenders for being out of compliance. Police say more arrests are expected. During the sweep, ICE arrested 35 people suspected of being in the country illegally. Those arrested were contacted while police were searching for sex offenders.




Story Created: Feb 14, 2008 at 8:38 PM CST

Story Updated: Feb 14, 2008 at 9:53 PM CST








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