Oswego County Sex Offender Search

Oswego County sex offenders are tracked by the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services and monitored locally by the Oswego County Sheriff's Office.

How to Find Sex Offenders in Oswego County

Search for sex offenders in Oswego County using the NYS Sex Offender Registry online subdirectory. Select "Oswego" from the county dropdown to see all Level 2 and Level 3 offenders. The search is free and works around the clock. Results show photos, home addresses, conviction info, vehicle details, and aliases for each person listed.

Level 1 sex offenders are not in the online tool. You have to call 1-800-262-3257 to check on Level 1 offenders. Give the person's name and one identifier such as an exact address, date of birth, driver's license number, or Social Security number. The registry phone line runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays.

Oswego County sits along Lake Ontario in central New York. The county covers a large geographic area with many small towns and villages spread out across the region. The sheriff's office is the main agency responsible for sex offender compliance throughout the county. You can reach out to them with any questions about local offenders.

Oswego County Sheriff's Office

The Oswego County Sheriff's Office monitors all registered sex offenders in the county. Deputies conduct address checks, verify that offenders comply with registration rules, and handle community notifications as required by state law.

• Address: 39 Churchill Road, Oswego, NY 13126
• Phone: 315-349-3302
• Emergency: 911

The office operates the Oswego County Jail and works closely with DCJS to keep offender records current. Level 3 sex offenders must go to the sheriff's office every 90 days to verify their address in person. Deputies also make unannounced visits to offender homes to confirm they live where the registry says. The rural nature of Oswego County means deputies sometimes travel long distances to conduct these checks.

If a sex offender misses an address check or fails to register, the sheriff's office files charges. A first offense for failure to comply is an E felony under Correction Law Article 6-C. A repeat offense is a D felony. The office also handles complaints from the public about sex offender activity and passes information to DCJS when records need updating.

Sex Offender Risk Levels in Oswego County

Every sex offender in Oswego County is assigned a risk level by a judge after a court hearing. The judge uses a point-based scoring system. Factors include the nature of the offense, use of force or weapons, victim age, number of victims, substance use, and criminal history. The final score determines the level.

Level 1 is low risk. Address info is limited to ZIP code. Registration lasts 20 years unless a designation applies. Level 2 is moderate risk with full address public and lifetime registration. Level 3 is high risk with full address public, lifetime registration, and 90-day in-person address checks at the sheriff's office.

A judge can add a designation of sexual predator, sexually violent offender, or predicate sex offender. These designations mean lifetime registration at any risk level. Level 2 offenders without a designation who have been registered for 30 or more years can petition for relief under Correction Law Section 168-o. Level 2 and Level 3 offenders can also petition the court to change their risk level, though the court decides based on the evidence.

How SORA Works in Oswego County

The Sex Offender Registration Act in Correction Law Article 6-C is the law that governs registration in Oswego County. SORA has been in effect since January 1996. It covers New York convictions, matching out-of-state convictions, and federal or military offenses.

Oswego County Court holds SORA hearings. The county DA makes a risk level recommendation. For offenders leaving prison, the Board of Examiners of Sex Offenders sends a recommendation 60 days before release. The court sets the level 30 days before the offender gets out. For probation cases, the court registers the offender at sentencing and holds a hearing at least 45 days later.

All sex offenders in Oswego County must also report internet accounts, emails, and screen names to DCJS. The Electronic Security and Targeting of Online Predators Act of 2008 requires changes to be reported within 10 days. Failure to do so is a felony. Offenders convicted of crimes against minors or those who used the internet in their offense face mandatory internet restrictions while under supervision.

Community Notification in Oswego County

Oswego County residents can register for NY-ALERT through the NYS Sex Offender Registry website. The system sends free alerts by email, text, fax, or phone when a Level 2 or Level 3 sex offender moves into or out of a chosen location. You can pick up to three areas by county, ZIP code, or specific address.

The sheriff's office handles local notification. When a Level 3 offender moves into an Oswego County neighborhood, the office contacts schools, daycare centers, places of worship, community organizations, and other groups that serve vulnerable populations. Level 2 offenders trigger more limited notices to similar entities. The subdirectory is also viewable at the sheriff's office during regular hours.

Where Sex Offenders Can Live in Oswego County

SORA does not create statewide residency buffer zones for sex offenders. Oswego County cannot add its own restrictions. The Court of Appeals ruled in People v. Diack that local governments have no authority to pass sex offender residency laws because the state has fully occupied the field.

The Sexual Assault Reform Act bars certain offenders from living within 1,000 feet of school grounds when the victim was under 18 or the offender is Level 3. Individual parole or probation officers can set case-specific conditions, such as avoiding parks or places where children gather. But these are not blanket county rules. They apply on a case-by-case basis depending on the offender's situation.

Nearby Counties

Search for sex offenders in areas around Oswego County.