HCSO Sgt. Tim Leonard, CID

Sergeant Tim Leonard of the Houston County Sheriff’s Office is the coordinator of the Houston County Sex Offender Registry, under the Criminal Investigation Division. Leonard has worked for the sheriff’s office for 25 years, with many of those years as a supervisor. He started at the jail, continued on to the patrol division, and finally coming to his current post almost three years ago. Leonard said that the task of the sex offender registry is to keep the public knowledgeable of where the offenders are.

“I enjoy doing what I do because I feel I can help the community, and that I can do what I need to do.” Leonard further noted that his faith is a strong aspect of why he continues to do his job. “No matter how much darkness there is, He is a God of light,” Leonard said.

According to Leonard, the sex offender registry was established in Georgia in 1997, and since its inception, it has had 41,000 registered sex offenders listed. Currently, 22,000 are active—285 of which are in Houston County, while there are other counties in the state with higher numbers like 4,000. The individuals listed on the registry have committed felony sex offenses, and while there are offenses of crimes against adults on the registry, the higher percentage are crimes against children. Leonard said that when offenders are released from prison they are placed on the registry, and the information is sent to the county and the state. On an annual basis, within three days of their birthdates, these offenders have to register where they live and may also have to report where they work and go to school. Additionally, they are required to update their picture as well as be fingerprinted. Leonard said that failure to do so would result in a warrant for their arrest.

Leonard’s job is to collect this data, make sure that it is reported properly and uploaded to the county and state websites—the state, being maintained by the GBI—as well as insuring that violators of the registry are properly prosecuted. Leonard explained that there are also restrictions that apply to where listed individuals can live. They cannot maintain residence within certain proximities of places like daycares, schools, public swimming pools, and other places where children congregate. He noted that these restrictions apply to offenders whose offense date is 2003 or later.

On the registry, there are some listed with one of three levels, but not all of them. These levels are assigned to offenders by the Sexual Offenders Registration Review Board, or SORRB, and are used to communicate the offenders perceived threat of re-offending. Level one indicates an unlikelihood to re-offend, with two being more likely to reoffend, and level three being categorized as a sexually dangerous predator.

“You can never really know what is in a person’s heart; only based on their deeds,” Leonard said. He explained that the levels are assigned based on the original case, other violent crimes against people, and sometimes even psychological reviews.

While many of those registered want to do what they are supposed to do and move on with their lives, Leonard explained that there are offenders that do not follow the rules and want to hide or drop off the grid. Those, he explained, are referred to as absconders. These absconders are sought out, and the search, Leonard says may even be aided by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, so that the absconders may face the consequences of their violations.

Leonard also stressed the importance of the public knowing the precautions that can be taken and what can be done by the way of prevention and safety. “It’s always good to learn how to keep [safe], and learn how to look for things that are around you,” Leonard said.

Based on what he has seen, Leonard said many times children are molested by known people, such as parents, stepparents, other relatives, and family friends. He suggested that parents should be aware of undue over attention to their child by individuals, as well as an unusually high willingness to be alone with the child or babysit—noting that a nanny cam may be a good idea. There are also tools that can be used as well such as the county sex offender registry, SORRB website and National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW). Leonard informed that there is an app for the NSOPW that can be downloaded on a mobile device that will show where the residences are of offenders near your location as well as pictures of that person and other information. Leonard added that this could be helpful, especially during events like trick or treating during Halloween.

If a citizen sees something that they think is suspicious or doesn’t look right, Leonard recommended that they contact the Houston County Sheriff’s Office and report or inquire about the situation. He mentioned that concerned citizens could also contact the GBI’s tip line—1-800-594-TIPS—, which refers county relevant tips back to him.

Leonard noted that the most important thing he wanted people to understand was, “Yes they are out there, and yes, it’s not good. But you can prevent it for your family, for your community, and even people you don’t know by notifying [us].”

Leonard explained that while the average citizen doesn’t understand the “darkness” that can exist out there, “they have to understand that it is not all darkness. Houston County is a wonderful place to live.” Leonard commented that he is proud of the county and appreciative of the judicial system and prosecutors for upholding and supporting the warrants taken out on the registered offenders that do not choose to comply. The law, he said, has become more and more effective overtime.