LIBERTY, NY — Between August 12th, 2022 through September 7th, 2022 the Village of Liberty Police Department conducted a sex offender registration verification detail. Detectives and officers visited every registered sex offender within the Village of Liberty and conducted verifications of information required to be registered under the New York State Sex Offender Registration Act, such as address and internet identifiers. Subsequent investigations resulted in the arrest of four registered sex offenders.

Arrested on August 12th, 2022, Christopher Caywood, 34 of Liberty. Caywood was charged with failing to register and verify an internet service provider, a felony. Caywood was additionally arrested on an active warrant from the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. Caywood was transported to the Sullivan County Jail pending further parole proceedings and was issued an appearance ticket for a future court date in the Town of Liberty Court.

Arrested on August 31st, 2022, Gary Dotten, 27 of Liberty. Dotten was charged with failing to register and verify his physical address every 90 days as required by a level three sex offender, a felony. Dotten was taken into custody without incident. In accordance with New York State Bail reform law, Dotten was issued an appearance ticket directing him to appear before the Town of Liberty Court at a later date.

Arrested on August 31st, 2022, Edward Odell, 41 of Liberty. Odell was charged with 4 counts of failing to register and verify various internet accounts, internet access providers and internet identifiers, all felonies. He was additionally charged with tampering with physical evidence, a felony, after he attempted to conceal a smartphone from officers used to access various internet accounts. In accordance with New York State Bail reform laws Odell was released on an appearance ticket directing him to appear before the Town of Liberty Court at a later date.  

Arrested on September 7th, 2022, Matthew Sanders, 34, of Liberty. Sanders was arrested on an active bench warrant out of the Town of Liberty Court for failing to appear in court after having been previously arrested by the Village of Liberty Police and charged with failing to register and verify as a sex offender, a felony. After having been previously arraigned on the felony charge, Sanders failed to appear at a scheduled court date on 8/24/2022 and the Town of Liberty Court subsequently issued a bench warrant for his arrest. Sanders was taken into custody without incident. He was brought before the Town of Liberty Court and was remanded to the Sullivan County Jail in lieu of $500 cash bail, $1,000 bond or $2,500 secured bond.