TDOC Hosts Operation Blackout, Targets Sex Off

The Tennessee Department of Corrections is cracking down on sex offenders this Halloween. It's called Operation Blackout, and it's a way for law enforcement to make sure sex offenders aren't trying to lure your kids to their front door. "Number one our goal is to protect the citizens and make sure the people who are released from prison or released from the court to us, that were are monitoring and knowing where they're at," said David Lane with the Tennessee Department of Correction. Those listed on the Sex Offender Registry aren't allowed to decorate, put out candy or keep the lights on, on Halloween night. "The highest risk offenders are those that have a child victim, child rape. Those offenders are on GPS for the rest of their natural life so they are easy to keep track of as far as their location goes," said TDOC Probation Officer Bill Ford. NewsChannel9 followed Tennessee Corrections officers around Chattanooga Friday night. On our first two stops, both offenders were found in compliance. But TDOC Officer William Ford says, that's not always the case. "We found pornography at one location so violations will be submitted for those," said Ford. Just a few days ago, police say Derek Gann was found in violation of the Sex offender registry. They say Gann was spotted at a trunk or treat event at a Soddy Daisy church. According to court records, Gann pled guilty in 2007 to sexual battery involving a 7-year-old girl. But officials say they don't just monitor offenders one night out of the year. "We monitor sex offenders all year round," said Lane. Parents have that option too, right at their fingertips. All they have to do is log onto Familywatchdog.us and type in their address. There you can find all registered sex offenders in your area. Ford says with their team, they'll expect to hit about 20 houses. But as a whole, TDOC will check on 160 homes total in the Chattanooga area. By Alyssa Spirato