Benton County Sex Offender Lookup

Benton County sex offenders are tracked by the Benton County Sheriff's Department in Fowler, Indiana. The registry is free and open to the public. You can search by name or address using the state's online portal, and results include photos, current home and work addresses, vehicle information, and offense details for everyone registered in Benton County.

How to Search Benton County Sex Offenders

Use the iCrimeWatch Indiana portal to search sex offenders in Benton County. This statewide tool is maintained by the Indiana Sheriffs' Association and updated by all 92 county sheriffs. You can select Benton County from the dropdown menu, then search by address or by name. Address searches show all registered offenders within one mile of the location you enter.

The Benton County Sheriff's Department maintains the sex offender registry at their website.

The sheriff's site links to the same statewide database. Free email alerts are available at NSOPW.gov. You can also search across state lines at NSOPW if you want to check a person who has connections to multiple states.

Note: Registry hours for in-person contact are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4 pm.

Benton County Sheriff's Department

The Benton County Sheriff's Department is located at 105 S Lincoln Avenue, Fowler, IN 47944. The main number is (765) 884-0080. Sheriff John K Cox leads the department. His email is jcox@bentoncounty.in.gov. Deputy Austin Rennick serves as the sex offender registrar and can be reached at arennick@bentoncounty.in.gov.

The registrar handles all registration appointments, address changes, and verification visits. If you need to report a sex offender you believe is not in compliance, contact Deputy Rennick or call the main sheriff's line. Benton County is a rural county with a small population, but the sheriff's office maintains the same registration standards required by state law for all Indiana counties. You can visit the office during business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4 pm.

Benton County Sex Offender Registry Overview

Indiana's registry system comes from IC 11-8-8, known as Zachary's Law. This law was named for Zachary Snider, a child from Cloverdale who was killed by a sex offender. The law took effect January 1, 2003, and created a statewide database covering all 92 Indiana counties. The goal of the registry is to give the public free access to information about sex and violent offenders who live, work, or study nearby.

Benton County participates in the registry through the Indiana Sheriffs' Association, which manages the technology platform used by all county sheriffs. Under IC 36-2-13-5.5, county sheriffs are legally required to maintain the registry and make information publicly available. The Benton County Sheriff's Department fulfills this duty for all of Benton County.

Who Must Register in Benton County

Indiana Code IC 11-8-8-4.5 defines who is a sex offender under state law. Registration is required for anyone convicted of rape, child molesting, child exploitation, criminal deviate conduct, sexual misconduct with a minor, voyeurism involving a minor, or an equivalent offense from another state or federal court. Violent offenders may also be required to register.

Under IC 11-8-8-7, registration must happen within 72 hours. This 72-hour window starts when someone is released from incarceration, moves to a new address, or arrives in Indiana for the first time. Workers who commute into Benton County must register their work address here even if they live in another county. Students enrolled at a Benton County school must also register.

Benton County Registration Requirements

Registration requires an in-person visit to the Benton County Sheriff's Department. You must bring proof of your name, date of birth, home address, and work address. The registrar will document vehicle information, internet accounts, and any other identifiers required by law. A photo is taken at each registration appointment. All of this information goes into the statewide registry database.

Most offenders verify their registration once a year. Sexually violent predators must verify every 90 days. Failing to show up for a verification appointment or providing false information is a Level 6 felony under IC 11-8-8-17, which carries a sentence of six months to two and a half years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. A second offense is charged as a Level 5 felony. Registration runs for 10 years in most cases or for life for sexually violent predators and those with victims under 12.

Residency Restrictions in Benton County

Indiana law limits where people classified as "offenders against children" can live. Under IC 35-42-4-11, these individuals cannot reside within 1,000 feet of a school, youth program center, or public park. They also cannot live within one mile of their victim's residence. This applies throughout Benton County, including Fowler and all rural areas. Violating these restrictions is a Level 6 felony.

Because Benton County is largely rural, the distance rules may be easier to meet than in more urban counties. However, small towns like Fowler still have schools and parks that create restricted zones. Anyone with a registration requirement who is planning to move in Benton County should confirm the new address complies with the law before the move. The sheriff's department can help with this.

Nearby Indiana Counties

Search sex offender registries in counties near Benton County.