The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) arrested 30 registered sex offenders in October after conducting 1,202 compliance checks across unincorporated Hillsborough County, including the Apollo Beach and Ruskin area.

The operation, called Operation Scarecrow, wrapped up ahead of Halloween.

Sheriff Chad Chronister personally went door-to-door with detectives during the final week, according to an HCSO press release. Those visits included checks on offenders convicted of sexual battery on a child under 12.

"There is nothing more important than safeguarding children in our community," Chronister said in the release. "Our efforts ensured these offenders were in compliance, and those who were in violation went back to jail."

HCSO partnered with the Florida Department of Corrections (FDOC) and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for the effort. In the final week before Halloween, the agencies conducted probation compliance checks. The checks were designed to confirm offenders lived at their registered addresses and followed the conditions of their registration, supervision and probation.

What violations led to arrests

Registration violations included failing to register a vehicle kept on the property, failing to obtain a driver's license with an updated address and failing to report for registration on time.

Offenders on probation or supervision face strict Halloween rules. They cannot pass out candy, display Halloween decorations or leave their porch lights on. Any violation can lead to arrest, according to the sheriff's office.

Two notable cases

On Monday, Oct. 26, detectives checked on Reginald Walker, 69, on the 1000 block of Johnson Pointe Drive in Plant City. Walker, a designated sexual predator, is required to carry a Florida identification card displaying "Sexual Predator" on the front. Detectives found he had used a white covering to conceal that designation, according to the press release.

Detectives also found numerous unregistered internet identifiers on several social media platforms and an email address. None had been reported to FDOC or FDLE. Walker was arrested. His charges included possession of an altered driver's license by a sexual predator and nine counts of failing to register an internet identifier. He is a three-time convicted felon, according to the sheriff's office.

On Tuesday, Oct. 27, detectives checked on Robert Williamson, 60, on the 1400 block of York Street in Brandon. Williamson had two cell phones. A search of one phone found he had installed an app to engage in sexual conversations with AI-generated female children, in violation of his probation, according to the press release. Detectives confirmed Williamson did not have access to any victims and found no evidence of unreported offenses. He is a five-time convicted felon with prior convictions including sexual battery on a victim under 12.

Full list and safety resources

The names, dates of birth and charges of all 30 people arrested are available through the HCSO arrest list.

Parents can search for registered sex offenders and predators in their neighborhood through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's online database.