U.S. Marshals and Tohono O'odham Police Team Up on Sex Offender Compliance Operation

Tucson, AZ – U.S. Marshals and Tohono O’odham Police Department wrapped up a two day sex offender compliance operation that started yesterday and concluded today. The compliance operation was a combined effort consisting of various tribal, local, state and federal agencies ensuring sex offenders residing on the Tohono O’odham Indian Reservation are complying with sex offender registration laws. Those found not in compliance were either arrested on-site for tribal offenses or referred for prosecution for violating sex offender registration laws.

A total of fifty-five compliance checks were conducted by officers. A total of two arrests were made during the compliance operation.

    On May 15, 2014, Paul James Lopez, age 42, was arrested for failing to register as a sex offender after compliance checks at his listed address revealed he was no longer at the specified residence. Later in the day, a compliance check was conducted at another sex offender’s residence, at which time Lopez was observed exiting the residence. In July 2011, Lopez was convicted of child molestation. Lopez has a lengthy criminal history which includes arrests for animal cruelty, failure to appear, possession of narcotics, and interfering with judicial proceedings.

    On May 16, 2014, Lucas Antone, age 50, was arrested for failing to register as a sex offender. Investigative endeavors revealed Antone was no longer residing at the address where he was registered but was located at a nearby trailer by officers. Further investigation revealed Antone failed to register his new address. In 2000, Antone was convicted in tribal court for sexual conduct with a minor.

David P. Gonzales, U.S. Marshal for the District of Arizona stated, “The U.S. Marshals Service takes great pride in working with and generating partnerships with many of the law enforcement agencies in our state and communities. These partnerships allow us to conduct sex offender operations that will enhance the safety and security of our children. Most importantly, these initiatives remove any safe haven for sexual predators who seek to victimize citizens with their dangerous and often violent crimes within our cities and tribal nations.”

In July 2006, the U.S. Congress passed the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, also known as the Adam Walsh Act. Among other things, the act increased the U.S. Marshals Service’s role in fugitive apprehension by allowing the agency to assist jurisdictions with locating and arresting convicted sex offenders who violate sex offender registration requirements. The act also allows for convicted sex offenders who violate their registration requirements to be charged federally.

Participating agencies were: United States Marshals Service, Tohono O’odham Police Department, Arizona Department of Public Safety, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, United States Border Patrol and Tucson Police Department.

The United States Marshals Service is the nation’s oldest federal law enforcement agency. Annually, U.S. Marshals arrest more than 50 percent of all federal fugitives and serve more federal warrants than all other federal agencies combined.