Indian River County Sheriff’s Office nabs seven sex offenders with 'Operation Trick or Treat'

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, Fla. - “Trick or Treat.”

That’s what the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office is calling its annual check on registered sex offenders in the county, to ensure compliance with the laws regulating them.

With assistance from the Sebastian and Vero Beach Police Departments, six sexual offenders and one sexual predator were arrested Friday through "Operation Trick or Treat,” now in its second year.

Sheriff’s Office spokesman Jeff Luther says the suspects in custody were on active warrants for charges including violation of sex offender residency restrictions, failure to update the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and failure to register.

Those arrested were:

• Paul Cummings: Charged with Sex Offender Failure to Register with DHSMV
• James Goddard: Charged with Sex Offender Failure to Re-register
• Charles Goodpasture: Charged with Sex Predator Failure to Register
• Raymond McNeal: Charged with Sex Offender Failure to Register with DHSMV
• Leonard Scott: Charged with Sex Offender Violation of County Ordinance Residency Restrictions
• Harold Morin: Charged with Sex Offender Failure to Register with DHSMV
• Kevin Jones: Charged with Sex Offender Violation of County Ordinance Residency Restrictions

One wanted sexual offender, David Witt, could not be located, but it is believed Witt has moved out of state. Anyone with information on his whereabouts should contact Detective Eric Flowers at 772-473-0997.

Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar says this time of year is chosen to execute "Operation Trick or Trick" because the agencies involved strive to ensure that violators are apprehended prior to Halloween and children are kept safe.