US Marshals along with other law enforcement agencies went door to door to more than a thousand sex offenders in Fresno and Madera counties. Operation Guardian Angel checks each sex offender to make sure they're registered, verify addresses and don't have any warrants out for their arrest. During the operation, investigators met with several sex offenders who were not registered. A total of 45 sex offenders were arrested.“Sex offenders that are registered, who have committed offenses, they have a high likelihood or re-offending and when they're in neighborhoods we know there's a potential for people to become victimize,” said Jerry Dyer, Fresno Police Chief.
That's one of the reasons for this operation, to send a message to the neighborhoods that law enforcement is watching and making sure sex offenders are in compliance.
“I believe that it sends a strong message throughout the neighborhoods that we care and we want the people in those neighborhoods, the parents to partner with us and keep an eye on those individuals,” said Dyer.
This is it's 2nd year of Operation Guardian Angel, investigators say prior to the operation dozens of sex offenders registered after hearing law enforcement was coming.
“They know that we know and so quite possibly it will prevent them from re-offending,” said John Anderson, Madera County Sheriff.