Howard County Sex Offender Registry
Howard County sex offenders must register with the Howard County Sheriff's Office in Kokomo, which enters that information into Indiana's statewide OffenderWatch database. The registry is free and open to any member of the public. Sheriff Jerry Asher oversees law enforcement in Howard County and his office handles all local sex offender registration duties. This page explains how to search the registry, what Indiana law requires of registered offenders, and what resources are available to Howard County residents who want to stay informed about offenders in their area.
Howard County Sex Offender Registry
Searching Howard County Offender Records
The main public search tool for Howard County is iCrimeWatch, the public interface for Indiana's OffenderWatch database. Search by name, city, zip code, or address. Results show the offender's photo, listed address, offense details, and current registration status. No account or fee is required to search.
The Indiana Department of Correction registry is a second option that pulls from the same OffenderWatch data. Some people prefer the IDOC site for looking up a person's full conviction history or checking whether someone has been designated a sexually violent predator. Either way, the underlying data is the same.
For a national search, the National Sex Offender Public Website lets you check records across all states at once. This is useful if someone recently moved to Howard County from another state and you want to see if they have a prior record. The search is free and does not require registration.
The Howard County Sheriff also offers a mobile app that residents can use to search the sex offender registry and receive local law enforcement notifications. Search for the Howard County Sheriff's Office app in your app store to get started.
Howard County Sheriff's Office
The Howard County Sheriff's Office is located at 1800 West Markland Avenue, Kokomo, IN 46901. The main office number is 765-457-1105. Sheriff Jerry Asher has expressed pride in the work of his staff and a commitment to keeping Howard County safe. According to the sheriff, "Together, we can and will make Howard County strong."
The office processes all new sex offender registrations for the county and submits updates to OffenderWatch. When an offender is released from the Howard County Jail or arrives in the county from elsewhere, they must come to this office within 72 hours. Staff there verify identification, collect photos and fingerprints if needed, and enter the registration into the statewide system.
If you want to report a suspected registration violation, call the non-emergency line at the number listed above. You can also contact the office in person during business hours. The sheriff's staff take compliance matters seriously and will follow up on credible tips about offenders who are not meeting their registration obligations.
The Howard County Sheriff's Office in Kokomo manages all local sex offender registrations and keeps the county's data current in the statewide OffenderWatch system.
Who Has to Register
Indiana's sex offender registration law is found at IC 11-8-8, known as Zachary's Law. The law was named for Zachary Snider of Cloverdale, who was killed by a registered sex offender. It became effective January 1, 2003, and remains the legal foundation for all 92 counties in Indiana, including Howard County.
The list of qualifying offenses under IC 11-8-8-4.5 includes rape, sexual misconduct with a minor, child solicitation, and other crimes. Offenders convicted in other states who then move to Howard County must also register here. Indiana does not give out-of-state offenders a pass just because their crime happened elsewhere.
The duty to register applies regardless of when the conviction occurred. Some offenders who were convicted before Zachary's Law took effect are still required to register under the updated statute. The Howard County Sheriff's Office handles questions about who is covered by the law and when registration applies.
Note: The Indiana Sheriffs' Association resource page on sex offender registration covers the rules for all Indiana counties including Howard County in plain, straightforward language.
Registration Deadlines and Check-In Rules
Indiana law sets a firm 72-hour deadline for registration. Under IC 11-8-8-7, sex offenders must appear at the sheriff's office within 72 hours of release from custody, a change of address, or arrival in the state. This deadline is not flexible. Missing it, even by a short period, is treated as a criminal act.
Offenders must also register any work address or school address they use. A change in employment or school enrollment must be reported within the same 72-hour window. Homeless offenders in Howard County must check in at the sheriff's office every seven days to confirm their status and whereabouts.
Verification schedules differ by offender type. Most sex offenders must verify annually. Sexually violent predators must verify every 90 days in person. These check-ins confirm that addresses and other registry details are still accurate. Missing a verification is considered a registration failure and is prosecuted accordingly.
Residency Restrictions in Howard County
Indiana places strict limits on where registered sex offenders can live. IC 35-42-4-11 bars offenders from living within 1,000 feet of any school, park, or youth program center. They must also stay at least one mile away from their victim's home address. These restrictions apply everywhere in Howard County, not just in Kokomo.
Penalties for failure to comply with registration requirements are set by IC 11-8-8-17. A first violation is a Level 6 felony, which can result in up to two and a half years in prison and a $10,000 fine. A second offense bumps up to a Level 5 felony. Howard County prosecutors pursue these cases actively.
Registration periods in Indiana run 10 years for most offenders, starting from the date of release or end of supervision. Those classified as sexually violent predators, or those convicted of crimes against children under the age of 12, must register for life. These timeframes are set by state law and cannot be shortened at the county level.
Note: Use the Indiana Sheriffs' Association find-your-sheriff tool to confirm current contact details for the Howard County Sheriff's Office before visiting in person.