Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper announced Operation Fail Festival, which resulted in the arrest of several people in the county for their failure to register, or re-register, as a sexual offender.
“Several of these sick individuals … failed to comply with sexual offender requirements. Many of them were required to update their addresses and re-register, but failed to do so,” Leeper said. “Failure of a sexual offender or predator to register as required by law is a felony. Eight of the nine individuals were arrested.”
Leeper said federal and state laws require sexual offenders or predators to register in all jurisdictions in which they live, work or go to school. Sexual offenders or predators must complete a registration form at their county sheriff’s office either twice a year or four times a year, depending on their offense. The registration is required for the duration of their life. All qualifying sexual offenders and predators and juvenile sexual offenders will be listed on the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s public registry website.
The sheriff gave details on three of the individuals who were arrested.
John Wayne Harrell II is 35 years old and lives around Fernandina Beach. He was originally charged with lewd and lascivious behavior on a victim under the age of 16 back in 2016. Harrell is required to re-register every 30 days because he is transient, Leeper said, “but, not surprisingly, he failed to do so.”
Michael Albertie is 49 years old and lives in Yulee. He was originally charged with lewd and lascivious battery and sex with a victim 12-15 years old. He last registered as a sex offender in 2021.
Jack Tomlinson is 69 years old and lives in Hilliard. He was originally charged in 1992 for lewd and lascivious battery on a child under the age of 16 and sexual battery, specifically coercion of a child by an adult.
One of the people charged in Operation Fail Festival has not been arrested; it is believed he is living in California, Leeper said.
“It is important that we keep track of these individuals for the safety of our community. Whenever a child goes missing, the first thing we do is check the homes of any nearby predators,” Leeper said. “Most importantly, we want to know where these individuals live so we can keep our children safe.”
The sheriff went on to advise parents to keep tabs on their children’s contacts, both online and in person.
“I also want to remind parents to monitor what their child is doing on the internet, social media sites and especially who they may be talking to,” Leeper said. “There are evil people in this world who would like to do bad things to young children, so please do everything you can to keep these monsters away from yours.”
To research those arrested in Operation Fail Festival and other sexual offenders living in Nassau County, visit the Florida Department of Law Enforcement website.
jroberts@fbnewsleader.com