Sex offender accused of failing to report address change

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A registered sex offender is in the Searcy County jail, after allegedly changing residences and failing to notify authorities. According to Sheriff Kenny Cassell, 23-year-old Chase Peterson has been incarcerated since Friday.

On Wednesday, probation and parole officers went to Peterson’s reported address on Wagon Trail in Marshall, but they were unable to make contact with anyone at the location. Officials left a note on the front door with instructions for Peterson. After the officers left, a male called and stated Peterson no longer lived at the Wagon Trail residence.

As the investigation continued, law enforcement learned Peterson reportedly moved from his registered address to a location on Sun Street in Western Grove. A Newton County deputy went to the Sun Street address and discovered Peterson had lived at the residence, but he was no longer there.

Peterson is a Level 3 sex offender, meaning he is considered at high risk to re-offend, and he is aware he’s responsible for reporting a change of address to authorities. On Thursday, Searcy County Chief Deputy Dewayne Pierce prepared and forwarded an arrest affidavit to 20th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Carol Crews. Crews’ office issued an arrest warrant for Peterson for a felony count of failure to comply with reporting requirements, and Arkansas Community Corrections revoked his probation.

Peterson was arrested on Friday and transported to the Searcy County jail, where he remains in custody.

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