A three-day, four-county sex offender compliance check in Northeast Tennessee resulted in the arrests of five people and 15 violation reports submitted to the courts, according to a U.S. Department of Justice news release issued Thursday.
The "Hair of the Dog" operation involved federal, state, and local agents checking 68 sex offenders in the 1st Judicial District, which includes Carter, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington Counties.
During the visits, agents checked each registered sex offender's residence to confirm compliance with rules. Officers also checked any information previously provided by the offender.
Four offenders and one person who had outstanding warrants were arrested.
In Carter County, one offender was arrested for possession of unlawful drugs, pornography and alcohol consumption. Violation reports on four offenders will be submitted to the court for violations ranging from having unreported email addresses and internet access to possession of large amounts of pornography.
In Johnson County two people were arrested – one sex offender and one who had outstanding warrants. Violation reports on four offenders will be submitted to the court for violations ranging from unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of more than five hundred rounds of ammunition and possession of unlawful drugs.
In Washington and Unicoi Counties, two offenders were arrested. Violation reports on seven offenders will be submitted to the court for violations ranging from unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition to possession of pornography.
The offenders' names were not included in the news release, but a Department of Justice spokesman later said the following sex offenders were arrested:
- David Hixson, Johnson City
- Michael Lones, Jonesborough
- Donald McMillan, Hampton
- Patrick Potter, Butler.
Convicted sex offenders are required to follow several rules once they are released from prison. For example, a person who was convicted of enticing a minor through the internet may be required to report any email address or social media account he/she may have as a condition of his/her release. A sex offender whose victim was a minor is not allowed to live with a child who is not the offender's biological son or daughter., according to the release.