Village of Liberty police arrest 4 in sex offender sweep

A sex offender sweep in Sullivan County has resulted in four arrests, according to police.

News 12 Staff

Sep 27, 2022, 9:57 AM

Updated 821 days ago

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A sex offender sweep in Sullivan County has resulted in four arrests, according to police.
The Village of Liberty Police Department conducted a sex offender registration verification detail between Aug. 12 and Sept. 7. 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.
The investigations resulted in the arrest of four registered sex offenders, all from Liberty.
  • Christopher Caywood
  • Gary Dotten
  • Edward Odell
  • Matthew Sanders
Caywood, 34, 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.
Dotten, 27, 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.
Odell, 41, was charged with four 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 allegedly 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.
Sanders, 34, 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 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.