SEX OFFENDER ARRESTED AFTER FAILING TO REGISTER VEHICLE

James Edward Claxton, Douglas, GA

COFFEE COUNTY, GA — Sex offenders who are required to register in Georgia are given clear requirements, and the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office Sex Offender Unit is committed to making sure those requirements are followed.

James Edward Claxton, a registered sex offender, was recently identified by a Coffee County Sheriff’s Office detective while eating lunch at a local business. Claxton had arrived at the location driving a Chrysler Town and Country minivan.

A subsequent investigation determined that Claxton had failed to register the vehicle as required. During the investigation, Claxton acknowledged that he had been driving the vehicle for more than five weeks without properly updating his sex offender registry information.

Under Georgia law, O.C.G.A. 42-1-12, registered sex offenders are required to maintain accurate registration information and report changes to required information to the appropriate sheriff within 72 hours. Required information includes vehicle information, employment, address and other identifying information.

Failure to comply with Georgia’s sex offender registration requirements is a felony. Under O.C.G.A. 42-1-12, a person convicted of violating the registration requirements may face one to 30 years of imprisonment. A second conviction under the applicable provision carries a punishment range of five to 30 years.

Claxton was taken into custody and remains incarcerated at the Coffee County Jail pending his appearance before a judge.

Sheriff Fred Cole said the requirement to register is not optional.

“If you are required to register as a sex offender, you will follow the law. Period. We are not going to overlook violations, no matter how small someone may think they are. Our Sex Offender Unit will continue doing the job required to protect this community, and if you fail to comply, we will hold you accountable. One day Sex Offenders will learn, Coffee County isn’t the best place to reside if failing to comply is their agenda.”

The Coffee County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information regarding a possible violation of Georgia’s sex offender registration requirements to contact the Sheriff’s Office or submit information through the Sheriff’s Office tip channels.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.