The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office arrested 30 registered sex offenders for violations in October as part of Operation Scarecrow, a coordinated effort to make sure Halloween night stays safe for every child and their family.
Detectives with our Sexual Predator Unit checked on 1,202 registered sex offenders living in unincorporated Hillsborough County.
In the final week before Halloween, the Sheriff’s Office partnered with the Florida Department of Corrections (FDOC) and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to conduct probation compliance checks, confirming that each offender lives at their registered address and is following every condition of their registration, supervision, and probation.
Sheriff Chad Chronister personally went door to door with detectives this past week, including visits to offenders convicted of sexual battery on a child under 12.
“There is nothing more important than safeguarding children in our community,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Our efforts ensured these offenders were in compliance, and those who were in violation went back to jail.”
Offenders on probation or supervision may not take part in Halloween activities. They are prohibited from passing out candy, displaying Halloween decorations, or leaving their porch lights on. These rules are not suggestions, and any violation can lead to arrest.
Registration violations uncovered during the operation included failing to register a vehicle kept on the property, failing to obtain a driver’s license reflecting an updated address, and failing to report for registration within the required time frame. Each is a violation of the law, and each was met with an arrest.
Operation Scarecrow Results:
Compliance checks completed: 1,202
Arrests made: 30
Notable Arrests:
On October 26, 2026, detectives with HCSO, FDOC, and FDLE conducted a compliance check on sexual predator Reginald Walker, 69, on the 1000 block of Johnson Pointe Drive in Plant City. Walker is required to carry a Florida identification card displaying “Sexual Predator” on the front. During the check, detectives discovered Walker had used a white covering to conceal that designation on his card. Detectives also found numerous unregistered internet identifiers on several social media platforms and an email address. None had been reported to FDOC or FDLE, which is in violation of his probation.
Walker was arrested for violating his conditions, including:
- VOP – Unlawful Internet Activity
- Failure of a Sexual Offender to Register Phone Number (X2)
- Failure of a Sexual Offender to Registered Internet Identifier (X9)
- Possession of Altered Driver’s License by Sexual Predator
Walker is a three-time convicted felon with convictions including Sexual Battery with a Weapon or Force, Robbery, Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle, and Violation of Probation.
On October 27, 2026, detectives with HCSO, FDOC, and FDLE conducted a compliance check on sexual predator Robert Williamson, 60, on the 1400 block of York Street in Brandon. Williamson was found to be in possession of two cell phones. A search of one phone revealed he had installed and was using an app to engage in numerous sexual conversations with AI-generated female children, in violation of his probation. Detectives confirmed Williamson did not have access to any victims and found no evidence of unreported offenses.
Williamson was arrested for violating his conditions, including:
- VOP - Prohibited Programs
Williamson is a five-time convicted felon with convictions including Sexual Battery on a Victim Under 12, Lewd and Lascivious Molestation, and Sex Offender Violation of Probation.
The names, dates of birth, and charges of all 30 offenders arrested during Operation Scarecrow can be found here.
Parents can search for registered sex offenders and predators in their neighborhood through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s database.
