Published: September 05, 2007 10:31 pm         

Sex offenders now must pay when they register in Clay

BRAZIL — When it comes to the sex offender registry, Clay County Sheriff Mike Heaton has decided to relieve some of the taxpayers’ burden.

As of Wednesday, sex offenders must pay a $50 yearly fee when they register in Clay County.

The money will help offset costs associated with processing, tracking and communicating with sex offenders, Heaton said.

“Right now the taxpayers are footing the bill for everything we do. But as part of these individuals’ sentences, for whatever their offense is, this is part of it. They have to register. It’s putting some of the cost off on them,” Heaton said.

The State of Indiana collects 10 percent of an offender’s first registration fee, thereafter Clay County gets 100 percent of the fee for the duration of the offender’s required registration.

The Indiana Department of Correction registers sex offenders, violent offenders and sex predators upon their release, so collected fees help offset the state’s costs.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Department has one deputy assigned to managing the registry.

“I got an individual right now that his sole responsibility is to track [sex offenders] down and make sure they register, or files paperwork with the prosecutor for charges,” Heaton said.

The registration fee is optional for every county in Indiana, and the Clay County Council passed Heaton’s proposal.

Each Indiana sheriff is responsible for the sheriff’s registry because of a state law mandating that their departments establish and maintain a Web site providing detailed information about sex offenders.

Sex offenders must provide information such as a recent photograph, current address, work address and offense information.

Clay County has about 70 registered sex offenders, which includes 15 registered in Brazil, according to the Sheriff’s Association at www.indianasheriffs.org.

“It’s going to put more responsibility on them. They committed a crime and offense. It’s making them responsible for part of the cost,” Heaton said.

Laura Followell can be reached at (812) 231-4253 or laura.followell@tribstar.com.