ROCKLAND — According to a statement from police, the Knox County Sheriff's Office recently participated in a short-term Joint Operation with members from the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), Maine State Police, Rockland Police Department, and Maine Probation and Parole. The mission of the operation was to investigate and/or arrest persons potentially in violation of the Adam Walsh Act.

One of the principal responsibilities of the task force and of the USMS is to "assist state, local, tribal authorities in the location and apprehension of non-compliant and fugitive sex offenders."

Of the 76 checks completed in Knox County, no arrests were necessary. Further investigation will be conducted on 10 potential minor issues in compliance of reporting that is mandated of all convicted sex offenders, according to the statement. 

Detective Justin Twitchell is the lead sex crime investigator for the Knox County Sheriff's Office. The statement explained that Det. Twitchell’s efforts in assuring compliance of all sex offenders in Knox County, provide safety, reduces violent crime, and reduces the number of fugitive non-compliant sex offenders.