Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Chief Jimmy Travis reports 57-year-old Mark Anthony Spears of Independence, La and 44 -year-old Robert Charles Scott of Hammond, LA are both wanted by the TPSO for failing to register as a sex offender.

A sex offender is defined as anyone who has committed sexual violence towards a minor or an adult. Registered sex offenders are generally separated into three different categories depending on the severity of the sex offense committed and how many times they have committed the sex offense. These factors determine how often the offender must register.

Failing to register as a sex offender means the person has failed to check-in with the Sex Offender Compliance Office as required, thus failing to exchange relevant information such as their home address, or any changes thereto. Spears and Scott are both Tier III offenders, which means they are required to register every 3 months for the rest of their life.

“In the state of Louisiana, sex offenders must register within three business days of their release from jail,” states Travis. Federal law requires law enforcement agencies to notify local schools, social service agencies, volunteer organizations, and public housing authorities of all registered sex offenders in the area. Registered sex offenders cannot acquire certain jobs such as school jobs, daycare jobs, and even public transportation jobs and must stay a specific distance away from schools, daycares, playgrounds, and any other locations that children go frequently.

Chief Travis asks anyone knowing the whereabouts of these two offenders to please call our Sex Offender Compliance Office at 985-748-3335, OR Crime Stoppers if you wish to remain anonymous. To submit an anonymous tip, call 1-800-554-5245 or visit www.tangicrimestoppers.com and click on the P3 Tips icon or Submit A Tip! You may be eligible for a cash reward.

If you would like to see if a registered sex offender is living in your neighborhood, please visit our website at www.tpso.org and click on “Sex Offender Registry”.  You may also register to receive updates and notifications regarding sex offenders in your area.

**All persons accused of a crime are considered innocent until proven guilty.