BCSO: Sex offender arrested again

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WALA) - A convicted sex offender is back behind bars after authorities say he tried to bail on his registration requirements. He is actually still listed in the Alabama Department of Public Safety’s Sex Offender Registry as compliant but an anonymous tipster told deputies a different story.

Valease Shonnderack Jackson was listed in the sex offender registry as living in Elberta but officials soon found out that wasn’t the case and he was living with a child.

Baldwin County Sheriff Huey Hoss Mack says the investigation showed Jackson, who was convicted of raping a 15 year old girl in 1996, was living with a child in Foley.

"There are other compliance issues that are under investigation there also could be where we wanting to make sure he didn't do something else of an offending nature,” said Mack.

Investigators reacted quickly and believe Jackson was only off the map a few days.

"If we didn't have that information there could be a lag time where we didn't know it,” said Mack.

How often does this happen? The public believes an offender is in one place when they are actually in another?
 

Captain Jimmy Milton is in charge of the compliance unit in Baldwin County. He says they do the best they can but offenders sometimes are able to avoid law enforcement.
"If there was a way that we could gauge and prepare for it or do more to prevent it we would. We just handle it case by case,” said Milton.

Sex offenders are monitored and the public is informed through registries and community notifications but can we trust the information?

"It’s a growing area and I'm confident the system works the majority of the time but there is always going to be those people like Mr. Jackson who are going to violate the law and we have to address it,” said Mack.

Jackson is facing four felony charges for violating the sex offender act.

"Him being in jail makes Baldwin County a safer place,” said Milton.

Both Sheriff Mack and Captain Milton say the laws regarding monitoring sex offenders are constantly updated and they’re always looking for ways to improve. Their biggest ally is you. If you have any information about an offender call your local law enforcement agency.