CHAPMANVILLE, W.Va. – Law enforcement in southern West Virginia teamed up this week for a sex offender compliance sweep. The results were a pleasant surprise.
The West Virginia State Police and U.S. Marshal Service targeted 209 registered sex offenders in Boone, Lincoln and Logan counties over a two-day period. What they found is only five percent were not in compliance. Three of those offenders were arrested. Seven others could face charges.
U.S. Attorney for the Southern District Booth Goodwin called that a successful sweep during a news conference in Chapmanville Friday. 
“Absolutely it’s a good number,” said Goodwin. “When you’re only talking about 10 instances of noncompliance out of a total of 209.”
Captain Tony Cummings, with the West Virginia State Police, said the operation, dubbed “Coal Dust,” is one way to reach out to the public and let them know police are keeping track of registered sex offenders in their neighborhoods.
“We think this is vitally important to show the public and especially the persons that we have registered as sex offender in the state that we are serious about our sex offender registry and ensuring that these people are in compliance,” stressed Cummings.
Statewide there are 3,300 registered sex offenders. That number is increasing by about 400 per year. Cummings said the sweeps take place on occasion but it’s the regular compliance checks that really keep sex offenders in line.
“I really attribute that not just to operations like this but to the daily work that the troopers do out at the local detachments,” he said.
The goal of law enforcement is 100 percent compliance by sex offenders. Goodwin said West Virginia is serious about making that happen.