Warrants Issued for Sex Offenders
07/06/2015
Jason Crum |
Gary Ben Dardene III |
Martin Marler |
Jimmy Rather |
Offender Act Violations Lead to Warrants For Sex Offenders
Four fugitives are being sought after a multi-day coordinated effort between the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Marshal’s Service.
During the investigation, dubbed “Operation Ocean Blue,” investigators and agents conducted compliance checks on 65 registered sex offenders in Cherokee County and found 4 were not complying with the Kansas Offender Registration Act.
Cherokee County Attorney Nathan Coleman’s Office has since filed charges and arrest warrants have been issued for:
- Martin Marler, 42, of the Galena area
- Jimmy Neal Rather, 60, of the Baxter Springs area
- Gary Ben Dardene III, 22, of Baxter Springs
- Jason Crum, 44, of Baxter Springs
“Given our geographic location near Missouri and Oklahoma, it’s important that we not only make sure sex offenders are complying with their registration requirements in Kansas, but also that they aren’t violating any federal laws that may occur if they relocate or work in another state without notifying the proper authorities,” stated Cherokee County Sheriff David Groves.
Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of any of the suspects listed above are asked to contact the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office at 620-429-3992, their local law enforcement agency or send an anonymous tip by texting “Tip Cherokee” (without quotations) to the number 888777 and then type the information.
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