Sex offender arrested for failing to comply with offender registration requirements:
The Hardee County Sheriff’s Office is committed to staying current and monitoring sexual offenders and predators living in our community, and that’s why a local sexual offender, Johnny Robert Carpenter, was arrested for failing to comply with his offender registration requirements.
On May 12, 2020, a report was filed with the Wauchula Police Department in reference to Carpenter residing at 712 North 9th Avenue in Wauchula, which according to the Florida Offender Database, is not his official registered address. Further investigation revealed Carpenter last registered with the sheriff’s office several months ago, with a listed address of Rigdon Road in Wauchula. It was also discovered he had several vehicles that were not registered with the Sexual Offender Database.
When offenders or predators register with the sheriff’s office, per their sexual offender requirements, they sign and receive a copy of their registration and a notice of sexual offender obligations. It’s also made clear they must contact the sheriff’s office if anything changes within 48 hours. Each offender is provided with contact information for the sheriff’s office and is able to call and leave a voicemail or email 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to notify law enforcement of any residential changes.
On May 13, 2020, deputies responded to Carpenter’s location with a warrant for his arrest. When made aware of the situation, he attempted to resist arrest until officers were able to restrain him, and a bag containing a small amount of methamphetamine was found inside of his pants pocket.
Johnny Carpenter was booked into the Hardee County Jail and charged with Failure to Change Address as a Sex Offender, Failure to Register a Vehicle within 48 hours, Possession of Methamphetamine and Resisting an Officer without Violence.
If anyone knows of any information regarding an offender in violation of his or her conditions, call the Hardee County Sheriff’s Office at (863) 773-0304 or submit a tip through the H.C.S.O. mobile app. Citizens can download this free app to view sexual offenders or predators living near them. Individuals can also search offenders by visiting the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Sexual Offenders and Predators Search Page or sign up to receive offender alerts from the Florida Offender Alert System.
