A joint task force, in an effort called Operation Scortch, recently ensured that sex offenders in Rockdale are following the rules of their probations/parole.

On Sept. 5-6, members of the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office, United States Marshals, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Georgia Board of Pardons and Parole, and Georgia Department of Corrections-Probation conducted compliance checks on 71 of the 81 registered sex offenders residing in Rockdale County.

“These compliance checks are conducted in order to ensure the safety of Rockdale County residents,” said Sheriff Jeff Wigington.  “I would like to thank all of the participating agencies that assisted the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office with the checks.”

During the compliance checks, all but three of the registered sex offenders that were checked on were found to be in compliance with the terms of their parole or probation.  Of the three found not to be in compliance, two were arrested and one was found to have absconded.

The registered sex offenders that were not in compliance were:

Eddie Penn, 53, residing at 1763 Grimes Street, was found to have violated the terms of his probation and arrested for Violation of Probation.  He is currently in the Rockdale County Jail.

Tawuan Shivers, 36, residing at 1627 Ridgeview Drive, was arrested for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon after a handgun was found at his house.  He has been released from the Rockdale County Jail on a $5,700 bond.

Natasha Williams, 20, registered at 718 1st Avenue, was found to have absconded by no longer living at her registered address.