Ohio's attorney general says only 13 of Ohio's 88 counties have used federal funds available for bringing back convicted sex offenders who flee the state without informing authorities.
State Attorney General Mike DeWine and is urging more counties to use money from a program he set up last April. It reimburses counties for the cost of bringing convicted sex offenders back when they flee to avoid laws requiring them to regularly register with authorities.
"We are hoping with the publicity of this, more agencies will understand it," DeWine said.
NBC4 investigated and found that Fairfield and Ross Counties as the only Central Ohio counties that have used the funds. Law enforcement from Fairfield County traveled to New Mexico to get an offender and bring him back.
Fairfield County was reimbursed more than $1,600 for the travel and transport costs.
Only $30,000 of the $100,000 available when the program started has been used.
Franklin County Sheriff Zach Scott told NBC4 he was not aware the money could be used.
"Under our budget constraints, where we are looking for money everywhere we can. It is disappointing," Scott said.
Scott told NBC4 that since learning about the funds that are available, he has had his staff look into getting in touch with the attorney general.
"I wouldn't say we are frustrated. We were still getting the job done, would have been nice, $70,000 still available," Sheriff Scott said.
DeWine recently identified more than 100 Ohio offenders being sought out of state.
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