5 southern Indiana men charged after failing to register as a sex offender

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Police arrested five people in southern Indiana for not registering as a sex offender.

Deputies with the Jennings County Sheriff's Office checked the homes of all 80 registered sex offenders as part of its Sex Offender Registry Blitz. The purpose is to make sure all registered sex offenders are in compliance with rules and regulations.

Deputies arrested five people and charged them all with failure to register as a sex offender a Level 5 Felony:

Scot Smith, 54, of North Vernon
Ryan Smigelski, 37, of North Vernon
Chad Smallwood, 51, of North Vernon
Justin Owens, 31, of North Vernon
Roy Fields, 50, of Butlerville

"The Sex Offender Registry is one of the most important duties of the Sheriff's Office," Chief Deputy Cody Low said in a Facebook post Thursday. We take a zero tolerance approach in regards to Registry violations. This blitz was especially important as we approach the Holiday season."

If you have information that could lead to an violation of the Sex Offender Registry in Jennings County, click here or call 812-346-4911.

Indiana sheriff urges sex offenders to stay inside on Halloween for their safety and others

Beyond the Bullets | A conversation on Louisville youth violence