Media Release May 14, 2010 Operation Jessica Nets Four Arrests

Jessica Lundsford

Sweetwater County detectives and deputy United States Marshals conducted a sweep of registered sex offender compliance checks throughout Sweetwater County this week as part of a special campaign called “Operation Jessica.” Sheriff Rich Haskell said the teams of county and federal officers carried out 93 registered offender compliance checks in Sweetwater County and made four arrests between May 11th and 14th. In addition, two registered offenders were found not to be living at their listed addresses and failed to report to the Sheriff’s Office, which is a felony offense. Haskell said charges are being filed against the two men. Haskell explained that under Wyoming law, sex offenders as defined in statute must be in compliance with state law by registering with the state Division of Criminal Investigation through local Sheriff’s Offices. Offenders are photographed and fingerprinted and must also provide a range of information, including address, place of employment, and vehicle information. They must notify authorities if they move or change jobs. “Basically, we carry out these compliance checks to ensure that registered offenders are where they are supposed to be and in compliance with the law. If they’re not, we charge them,” Haskell said. Officials named the sweeps “Operation Jessica” for nine-year-old Jessica Marie Lunsford, who was abducted, raped, and murdered in Homosassa, Florida in 2005 by 47-year-old John Couey, a convicted sex offender who lived near her. An autopsy determined that Couey buried Jessica alive in garbage bags and she suffocated to death. A Florida judge sentenced Couey to death in 2007, but he died in prison of natural causes in 2009. Arrested were Richard Lee Manley, 41, of Green River, charged with Sex Offender - Failure to Report in Person, Victor Martinez, 62, of Superior, charged with Sex Offender - Failure to Report in Person, James W. Dove, 48, Rock Springs, charged with Sex Offender - Failure to Report Change of Employment, and 72-year-old David Lee Thomson of Rock Springs, charged with Sex Offender - Failure to Report in Person. The charges are all felonies carrying a maximum possible penalty of five years in prison. The United States Marshals Service involvement in the sweeps stems from the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, or SORNA, which is Title I of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006. SORNA requires convicted sex offenders to be in compliance with statutory registration requirements. Failure to comply can subject offenders to punishment of imprisonment for up to 10 years. Identical sweeps were also carried out by sheriff’s deputies and federal marshals in Sublette, Natrona, Albany, Campbell, Lincoln, Uinta, Goshen, Platte, and Laramie Counties. “We have always vigorously prosecuted non-compliant registered sex offenders and we always will,” said Haskell. “Combining our resources with that of the Marshals Service has proved an effective strategy that we intend to continue.”

Arrest Photo David Thomson

Arrest Photo James Dove

Arrest Photo Richard Manley

Arrest Photo Victor Martinez

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