Sheriff's Office

For Immediate Release

Regional Sex Offender Notification Unit & Nevada State Police Parole & Probation team up in Operation “Hocus Pocus”

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The Regional Sex Offender Notification Unit (RSONU) and Nevada State Police Parole and Probation are joining forces this week to conduct an increased number of Home Verification checks on registered sex offenders to ensure that offenders are compliant with the Sex Offender Registration Program. 

Currently, there are about 1400 registered sex offenders in the Reno, Sparks and Washoe County area.  This case load is shared among four investigators.

Operation “Hocus Pocus” began October 24, 2022, and is expected to exceed a goal of contacting 200 offenders.

In addition to a Washoe County Sheriff’s Office investigator, investigators from the Reno Police Department and Sparks Police Department are sworn in as Deputies to work in partnership with the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and carry out the mission of the Unit. The WCSO also provides an Administrative Office Support Specialist to help with clerical functions.

The RSONU was formed in 1998 in compliance with federal law.  At that time Washoe County, the City of Sparks and the City of Reno all agreed there was a need for coordination in law enforcement in the tracking, monitoring, investigation, public notification and the arrest and prosecution of non-compliant sex offenders.  The Nevada State Police Parole and Probation joined RSONU in 2021. The RSONU’s jurisdiction covers all of Washoe County, including the Cities of Reno and Sparks. 

If you need assistance, you can reach the RNOSU at (775) 325-6483.

The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to preserving a safe and secure community with professionalism, respect, integrity and the highest commitment to equality. Sheriff Darin Balaam is the 27th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County since the Office was created in 1861. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office strives to ensure public safety by building trust and creating partnerships within the diverse communities in which we serve. We will promote the dignity of all people supported by our words and actions through open communication while fostering an environment of professionalism, integrity and mutual respect.

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