By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Bulloch County seeking absconded sex offender
2 others charged with violation of reporting laws
MICHAEL BENEMON
Michael Benemon

Bulloch County sheriff's investigators are seeking a convicted sex offender they say is believed to have fled to another state without notification.

Michael Benemon, 36, whose last known address was Kennedy Bridge Road in Register, was convicted of statutory rape in Bulloch County, Bulloch County Sheriff Lynn Anderson said.

He "was determined to have absconded ... and a warrant was issued for his arrest for failure to register as a sex offender," Anderson said in a news release issued Monday.

Benemon's case will be turned over to the U.S. Marshals Service as a possible candidate for a Federal Adam Walsh Act violation, based on his being a sex offender moving from one state to another without complying with registry requirements, Anderson said.

A compliance check Saturday by the Bulloch County Sheriff's Criminal Investigations Division, the Statesboro-Bulloch Crime Suppression Team and state probation officers, who "teamed up to conduct on-site compliance checks on all registered sex offenders living in Bulloch County" also netted two others who did not comply with the law, Anderson said.

Jack Bragg, 34, of Burkhalter Road, who was convicted of child molestation in Screven County, failed to report changes in his employment and was arrested for failure to register as a sex offender, the sheriff said.

James Elbert Dickerson, 55, of South Main Street, who convicted of child molestation in DeKalb County in 1991, also failed to report changes in employment and address, Anderson said. A warrant for his arrest was issued for failure to register as a sex offender.

"These unannounced checks take place as public schools are in recess for the summer and children are more likely to be active in the community," Anderson said. "The Bulloch County Sheriff's Office is responsible, in conjunction many times with the state probation office, for supervising a fluctuating number of sex offenders, which averages 90 at any given time."

Anyone with information on any sex offender who has moved or is otherwise not reporting required information is asked to contact sheriff's Capt. Todd Hutchens at (912) 764-1787 or submit an anonymous tip to tips@bullochsheriff.com. "Anyone with information on the location of Michael Benemon is encouraged to do so as well."

Holli Deal Saxon may be reached at (912) 489-9414.

 

Sign up for the Herald's free e-newsletter