WCHS Eyewitness News Home Charleston Eyewitness Newsroom Charleston Storm Team Weather Sports News TV Program Schedule Community Mobile: Smartphone,Tablet and SMS text Get Connected SMS Text Facebook Twitter RSS News Feed Email List Tumblr


OPERATION BIG SANDY
Nearly Two Dozen Sex Offenders Arrested

Reported by: Send eMail Bethany Simmons
Web Producer: Bethany Simmons
Also Contributing: The Williamson Daily News
Reported: Aug. 23, 2012 11:17 AM EDT
Updated: Aug. 23, 2012 11:57 AM EDT

Eyewitness News Photo
Eyewitness News Photo
Prestonsburg , Floyd County , Kentucky

A sex offender check in eastern Kentucky during the month of August netted nearly two dozen arrests.

Police and sheriff's departments in Floyd, Johnson, Letcher, Knott, Martin, and Perry counties worked to locate more than 275 registered sex offenders, according to the Williamson Daily News.

Their efforts are being called "Operation Big Sandy," with a mission to make sure those offenders were registered with up-to-date information, including their current address, and whether or not they were following restrictions on possessing weapons and using social media.

Twenty-two offenders were arrested. Nine of those individuals were charged with noncompliance with registration requirements and two were charged with violating social media restrictions by opening Facebook accounts, the newspaper reported.

Two sex offenders were arrested for having weapons in their possession.

Four sex offenders were arrested for offenses that were unrelated to their registration requirements.

Two offenders still have not been located and are now considered fugitives. The newspaper reported that law enforcement agencies are looking for Carl Wheeler, 35, whose last known address was in Meally, in Johnson County. The newspaper said Wheeler has been convicted of second-degree sodomy of a 12-year-old child.

They also are searching for Bryan Patrick Williams, 33, whose last known address was Kite, in Knott County. Williams was convicted of indecent liberties with a 15-year-old victim in North Carolina, the newspaper reported.

If you know either of their whereabouts, call the Kentucky State Police.



MORE NEWS FROM EYEWITNESS NEWS
HELMET SAFETY STANDARD
Rockefeller Sponsors New Head-Injury Legislation
Eyewitness News Photo
May. 22, 2013 4:08 PM EDT
A West Virginia senator who has long pushed parents, ...
Full News Story

VANDALIA AWARD
Elkins Man To Be Honored During Vandalia
Eyewitness News Photo
May. 22, 2013 4:10 PM EDT
Elkins folklorist Gerald Milnes will be honored during ...
Full News Story

POSSIBLE MCCONNELL CHALLENGER
Former Miss America Latest To Look At U.S. Senate In Ky.
Eyewitness News Photo
May. 22, 2013 3:57 PM EDT
Former Miss America Heather French Henry is the latest ...
Full News Story



News Tomblin Offers Oklahoma Assistance From WV In Wake Of Tornado
May. 22, 2013 3:57 PM EDT
News Coal Jobs In Ky. At Lowest Point Since 1950
May. 22, 2013 3:11 PM EDT
News Witnesses In Several States Report Seeing Meteor
May. 22, 2013 3:04 PM EDT
News Severe Thunderstorm Watch In Effect For Most Of Eyewitness News Viewing Area
May. 22, 2013 2:58 PM EDT
News St. Albans Police Arrest Man On Burglary Charge
May. 22, 2013 2:33 PM EDT
News Police Investigating After Body Was Discovered At Pikeville Park
May. 22, 2013 3:51 PM EDT
News "As Seen On TV" Product Claims To Make Handiwork Easier
May. 22, 2013 1:50 PM EDT
News Power Crews Working To Restore Power After Severe Storm
May. 22, 2013 1:05 PM EDT
News Health Department Unexpectedly Withdraws Request for State Bailout
May. 22, 2013 1:11 PM EDT
News Two Infants Among 24 People Killed In Oklahoma Tornado
May. 22, 2013 11:46 AM EDT
News District Judge Recuses Herself From WVU Degree Lawsuit
May. 22, 2013 11:36 AM EDT
News Volunteer Firefighter, Former Firefighter From Nicholas County Charged With Arson
May. 22, 2013 3:28 PM EDT
News Former Public Service Employee To Pay Restitution In Lieu Of Jail Time
May. 22, 2013 10:56 AM EDT
News Second Suspect Arrested In Scioto County Burglary
May. 22, 2013 10:48 AM EDT
News Tomblin Names Karen Bowling New Head Of Department Of Health, Human Resources
May. 22, 2013 12:33 PM EDT
News Details Released In Daylong Standoff Situation In Meigs County
May. 22, 2013 11:26 AM EDT
News Police Say Man Was Passed Out While Child Left Unattended In Stroller
May. 22, 2013 12:36 PM EDT
News Charleston Man Facing Multiple Charges After Separate Violent Incidents
May. 22, 2013 10:20 AM EDT
News Marshall University Tears Down Residence Hall To Create Green Space
May. 22, 2013 9:02 AM EDT
News Greenbrier Prosecutor Seeks Life Sentence For Man Who Burned Police Barracks
May. 22, 2013 8:51 AM EDT
News Two Executives Plead Guilty To Federal Employment Tax Evasion Charges
May. 21, 2013 5:54 PM EDT
News New Haven Plant To Temporarily Idle Furnace, Lay Off Union Workers
May. 22, 2013 9:51 AM EDT
News Summers County Man Dies In Car Crash In Fayette County
May. 21, 2013 5:24 PM EDT
News How Social Media Affects Everyday Lives Of Teens
May. 22, 2013 3:42 PM EDT
News UMWA President Cecil Roberts Among 14 Arrested At Rally In St. Louis
May. 21, 2013 4:47 PM EDT
News Damage To Ashland Bridge Causes Temporary Weight Restrictions
May. 21, 2013 5:03 PM EDT
News Kentucky Man Charged In Connection With String Of Thefts In Ohio
May. 21, 2013 4:04 PM EDT
News Man Serving Larceny Sentence Escapes From Beckley Correctional Center
May. 21, 2013 2:07 PM EDT
News Kanawha Valley Senior Services Hosts Annual Picnic
May. 21, 2013 1:52 PM EDT
News Police Investigating Shots Fired On West Side Of Charleston
May. 21, 2013 5:09 PM EDT


Advertise on WCHS-TV Online

West Virginia News
W.Va. firefighter, son face arson charges

A volunteer firefighter and his son face charges of setting a string of fires in Nicholas County.
Full Story

Kentucky News
Doctor shortage to worsen under Medicaid expansion

The planned expansion of Kentucky's Medicaid program coupled with a push to help the uninsured obtain health coverage will worsen the state's shortage of physicians.
Full Story

Ohio News
Ohio House upholds GOP rep's win in disputed race

The Republican-controlled Ohio House has voted to uphold a GOP candidate's victory last year in a disputed race for state representative.
Full Story

Fugitive Files
Wanted: May. 21, 2013 You Can Help!
Fugitive Fugitive Fugitive Seen them? Call 888-720-TIPS
Details about these Fugitives

Behind The Kitchen Door
May 16, 2013
Shoney's-Charleston, Hibachi, Blues BBQ makes the list. Find out who has violations and who gets the Clean Kitchen Award!
Story and Video

2013 NEWS: JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | CURRENT
2012 NEWS: JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC







Fire!Fire!

Fugitive Files Tuesdays at 6 PM on Eyewitness News

West Virginia Wildlife Wednesdays at 6 PM on Eyewitness News

Newscast Scripts

ABC News web site





How To Contact WCHS-TV8 | Privacy Policy | FCC Public File | Terms and Conditions | DMCA Policy | Frequently Asked Questions

Home | Eyewitness News Newsroom | Storm Team Weather | Eyewitness Sports | Schedules

Send Mail Send email to news@wchstv.com for information or comments concerning WCHS-TV Eyewitness News.

Copyright ©2013, WCHS-TV8. Portions are
Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or distributed.