Two convicted sex offenders were arrested in separate incidents Monday after both allegedly failed to report a change of address to Hot Springs police.
Jonathan Lee Byers, 37, who lists a Ross Street address, was charged with a felony count of failure to comply with registration and reporting requirements, punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Jeff Chandler, 58, who is reportedly homeless, was charged with a misdemeanor count of listing an incorrect address, punishable by up to one year in jail.
Byers, who had a parole hold, and Chandler, who also had a warrant for failure to appear, both remained in custody Tuesday on zero bond and are set to appear today in Garland County District Court.
According to the affidavit on Byers, his wife contacted police on Sept. 14, stating her husband, a level three registered sex offender, had recently moved without notifying law enforcement.
According to his paperwork, Byers is required to appear in person to the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction within three days of moving. Byers signed and dated the agreement on June 1.
He reportedly came by the police department Monday, eight days after moving, to report his change of address and was taken into custody. When asked about his delay in notifying law enforcement, he insisted he did not have time.
According to the affidavit on Chandler, shortly before 1:30 p.m. Monday, Officer Thomas Plummer responded to an empty lot in the 100 block of East Grand Avenue regarding a man urinating in public.
A man, later identified as Chandler, was sitting in the empty lot. Plummer noted Chandler had bloodshot, watery eyes, smelled of intoxicants, was unsteady on his feet and was "nearly unintelligible" during conversation, slurring his words.
Three large, empty beer cans were located nearby and when Plummer asked how many beers he had to drink, Chandler reportedly said he drank two, so he was taken into custody for public intoxication.
Plummer determined Chandler also had a failure to appear warrant and was a registered sex offender convicted in Osceola. Chandler stated he was homeless and had been in Hot Springs for over a month, but had failed to check in with law enforcement in the past six months resulting in the additional charge.
Local on 09/20/2017