Operation Benchmark results in 7 arrests for registration noncompliance
Levy County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO)
Lt. Scott Tummond
Levy County, Florida - The Levy County Sheriff’s Office launched Operation Benchmark in February 2021, which was created to identify sex offenders and sexual predators in Levy County who were not complying with state offender registration requirements. Sex offenders and sexual predators, after being convicted of any sexually based crime, are required by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to register with their local sheriff’s office. Registration requirements include notifying law enforcement of address changes, providing information on vehicles they drive, their electronic addresses, the locations of their employment, and planned travel arrangements.
Detectives in the Criminal Investigations Division spent hours reviewing the files of the 201 registered sex offenders and sexual predators in Levy County. This was followed by countless hours of investigation into those offenders who did not have their records up to date. Some tips related to suspicious activity of registered sex offenders came directly from the public, and detectives looked into each complaint.
Operation Benchmark was concluded this past week and netted seven arrests, which included a variety of registration requirement failures. One additional case is still outstanding, and detectives have filed an application for an arrest warrant on this individual, whose name has not yet been released.
The following individuals have been taken into custody and are awaiting trial:
Deonte Washington
Fredrick Carpenter
Gary Thunquest
Jeffrey Lashley
Joel Ramirez
Renee Mangini
Todd Thompson