INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — One registered sex offender in Indian River County is facing drug charges after the Sheriff’s Office did a sweep of offenders prior to Halloween.
The offender nabbed in the sweep is identified as 28-year-old Jamie Brown, who was found living at 1575 Highlands Ave., instead of his registered address of 360 43rd Ave.
The Sheriff’s Office Multi-Agency Criminal Enforcement (M.A.C.E.) Unit received a search warrant for Brown’s Highlands Avenue residence and seized 26 grams of marijuana, nearly a gram of crack cocaine, four hydromorphone pills, shotgun ammunition, and drug paraphernalia including a digital scale, according to a statement released by the Sheriff’s Office.
“This week we continue our compliance check of all registered sexual offenders and predators as we prepare for our little ones to be out in the community on Halloween,” said Sheriff Deryl Loar in the statement. “I have instructed our deputies and detectives to arrest any offenders who are not in compliance with the law. We want everyone to have a safe and happy Halloween knowing that law enforcement is watching out for them.”
Brown faces charges that include felony possession of marijuana, possession of cocaine, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.
Brown was also arrested on a warrant for failure of a sex offender to report to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Brown is currently being held at the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office in lieu of $33,500 bail.
Anyone with questions or concerns regarding sex offender compliance should contact Analyst Renee Bradford at (772) 978-6109. You can remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 by contacting Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-TIPS (8477) or www.tcwatch.org.
As a reminder, children should always be accompanied by a responsible adult on Halloween. It is safest to stay in well lit areas out of the roadway. If your child is going to be out after dark, be sure they have a flashlight and a reflective costume. Drivers are encouraged to be extra cautious this time of year. Expect heavy pedestrian traffic and police presence on Friday evening.
As a safer alternative, the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Unit will be participating in Halloween at the Indian River Mall, 6200 20th Street, on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. The Indian River Mall offers a well lit, safe area for children. Mall stores offer candy to those dressed in costume. The event is free and open to the public.
