Captain Joshua Ward Commander for the Division of the Academy and Training | Official Website
Captain Joshua Ward Commander for the Division of the Academy and Training | Official Website
Both of the offenders who moved to Mercer County in October were sexual predators.
Sexual predators and child murderers remain on the registry for the rest of their lives.
The offenders moving into Mercer County may have been recently convicted or moved from other cities in the US.
According to a 2024 study by SafeHome.org, Illinois ranks fifth in the total number of registered sex offenders, with more than 34,000 living in the state.
Nationally, the study found over 795,000 registered sex offenders in the U.S. as of August 2024 — an increase of approximately 8,000 compared to 2023.
| Offender | Title | Status | Crime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon J. Cirks | Sexual Predator | Compliant | Predatory criminal sexual assault |
| Craig A. Rardin | Sexual Predator | Compliant | Criminal sexual assault/force, Felony conviction after 7/1/2011 and Violate sex offender registration |
| Derick Branden Stelzner | Sexual Predator | Compliant | Aggravated criminal sexual abuse/victim 13-16 |
| Eric M. Thirtyacre | Non-verified Child Sex Offender | Compliant | Criminal sexual abuse/victim cant consent |
| Gary Virgil Melton | Sexual Predator | Compliant | Aggravated criminal sex abuse/victim 13-16 |
| Ivan Flores | Non-verified Adult Sex Offender | Non-Compliant | Aggravated unlawful restraint, Criminal sexual abuse/force and Felony conviction after 7/1/2011 |
| Joe Lesley | Sexual Predator | Compliant | Aggravated criminal sexual abuse/victim 13-16 |
| Larry E. Freligh | Sexual Predator | Compliant | Aggravated criminal sex abuse/victim 13-16 |
| Michael Earl Daniels | Non-verified Child Sex Offender | Compliant | Criminal sexual abuse/victim vic 9-16 |
| Samuel Norris Clines | Sexual Predator | Compliant | Aggravated criminal sexual abuse/victim <9 |
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