(COLUMBUS, Ohio) -- Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today reminded Ohio's sheriffs that there is still money available to fund the extradition of wanted sex offenders.
Use of the Sex Offender Extradition Reimbursement Grant has now been extended to March 31, 2014. The grant funding is used to reimburse local jurisdictions for the costs associated with the out-of-state or out-of-county extradition of noncompliant sex offenders wanted in Ohio.
"The cost of bringing an offender back to a community to face noncompliance charges can be expensive, and we want to remind authorities that we have this funding available to help," said Attorney General DeWine.
County sheriffs' offices throughout Ohio can take advantage of this grant money when pursuing sex offenders of any classification, including those under the Megan's Law classification system and the 3-Tier system, who are registered in their county and have fled their jurisdiction. If a Sheriff chooses to extradite an offender, the Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Reimbursable costs include, but are not limited to, overtime (excluding fringe benefits), meals, lodging, airfare, parking, car rental, or other transportation costs.
If a sheriff opts to contract with an independent prisoner transport service to extradite the noncompliant sex offender, the sheriff's office is eligible to be reimbursed for that expense.
Sex offender extradition reimbursements can also be made to a prosecutor's office when the prosecutor pays the costs that the county sheriff incurs for the pick-up and return of noncompliant sex offenders. Furthermore, municipal law enforcement entities can be reimbursed if they are directed to pick-up and return a noncompliant sex offender.
Reimbursement rates may not exceed those included in the State of Ohio Travel Rule, Ohio Administrative Code 126-1-02.
To take advantage of this reimbursement offer, a county sheriff's office, prosecutor's office, or municipal law enforcement entity should follow these steps:
Additional investigative assistance or intelligence may be requested from BCI upon submitting the request.
Reimbursement requests will be processed and funds will be provided as quickly as possible. Should you have any additional questions regarding this program, which runs through March 2014 (or until the funds are exhausted), please contact either BCI Special Agent in Charge Brian Carlson or Criminal Intelligence Supervisor Cindy Peterman at BCI London Headquarters at (740) 845-2000.
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Media Contacts:
Dan Tierney: 614-466-3840
Jill Del Greco: 614-466-3840