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KANSAS CITY, Missouri (KMBC) — Nearly 100 people were arrested after a sweep involving multiple law enforcement agencies targeting sex offender compliance in Jackson County, Missouri.
The goal? Ensure compliance with Missouri state law before children head back to school.
According to a news release from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, from August 12 to 14, officials with the Independence Police Department, Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas City Police Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol and the United States Marshals Service conducted “Operation 1,000 Ft.”
The operation targeted sex offenders living within 1,000 feet of a school, which is illegal in Missouri.
During the three-day stretch, 98 sex offenders were arrested and 104 criminal charges were filed in the course of 147 compliance verification checks, officials said.
“Operation 1,000 Ft serves as a reminder that those who target and exploit the vulnerable will be held accountable,” said USMS Chief Deputy US Marshal Christopher Deaton. “The Midwest Violent Fugitive Task Force along with our law enforcement partners in Jackson County will never stop working to protect our community, keep our schools and children safe, and bring those who violate the law to justice.”
Areas involved in the checks included the incorporated and unincorporated areas of Kansas City and Independence, covering approximately 397 square miles of Jackson County.
“I appreciate our law enforcement partners for their collaboration, and their dedication demonstrated the strength of unity among local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies,” said Jackson County Sheriff Darryl Forté. “By combining personnel and resources, participating agencies enhanced offender accountability, investigated potential registration violations, and reinforced their shared commitment to protecting the public.”
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