Find Etowah County Sex Offenders
Etowah County sex offender records are maintained by the Sheriff's Office in Gadsden. The county has about 227 registered offenders, which is one of the higher counts in northeast Alabama at 21.74 per 10,000 residents.
Etowah County Quick Facts
Etowah County Sheriff's Office
The Etowah County Sheriff handles all sex offender registration in the county. Offenders must come to the office in person. They bring a photo ID and pay the $10 quarterly fee. The sheriff takes a new photo, updates fingerprints, and enters everything into the state database.
Etowah County is in northeast Alabama with Gadsden as the county seat. The sheriff's office uses Axon Body Camera 4 technology for deputies. This is one of the more modern equipped agencies in the region. With over 100,000 residents and 227 registered offenders, the county has a notable sex offender population that requires active monitoring.
| Address | 827 Forrest Avenue Gadsden, AL 35901 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (256) 546-2825 |
| Website | etowahcountysheriff.com |
How to Search Etowah County Sex Offenders
Searching for sex offenders in Etowah County is free and open to everyone. The state runs a public database with every registered offender. You do not need to create an account or pay to use it.
Go to the ALEA Community Information Center at app.alea.gov/community and click on Sex Offenders. Search by name if you know who you are looking for. Type in an address or ZIP code to see who lives nearby. The site shows a map with a pin for each offender. Click a pin to see their full profile.
Search options for Etowah County include:
- Name or alias
- Street address in Gadsden or any town
- ZIP code
- Map view to browse visually
You can also call the sheriff at (256) 546-2825. Staff can tell you if a person is on the registry. They can give you counts of offenders in a given area. For written records, mail a request to the sheriff's office or use the contact form on their website.
Registration Requirements in Etowah County
Sex offenders in Etowah County must follow strict state rules. Code of Alabama § 15-20A-10 requires quarterly in-person visits. That is four times per year. Offenders check in during their birth month and every three months after. Missing a visit is a felony.
Each visit costs $10. The sheriff uses this money to run the registry program. Offenders who cannot pay may ask for a waiver by showing proof of low income. At each visit, the sheriff checks the offender's address, job, and car info. A new photo is taken and fingerprints are updated if needed.
New arrivals have three days to register. This applies to people moving into Etowah County from other counties or from out of state. Offenders must also notify the sheriff within three days if they change jobs or get a new car. These deadlines are in Code of Alabama § 15-20A-22.
What Etowah County Records Show
Sex offender records in Etowah County give the public detailed info about each registered person. Code of Alabama § 15-20A-8 lists what can be shared. The goal is to help people know who lives in their area and what they did.
Each Etowah County listing shows:
- Full name and any aliases
- Date of birth
- Current photo
- Home address
- Work address and employer
- Physical description and marks like scars or tattoos
- Car info including plate number
- Sex offense history with dates
Some data stays private. Social Security numbers, phone numbers, and victim names are not online. The sheriff has this info but does not share it with the public. Contact the office if you need more details about a specific offender.
Residency Rules in Etowah County
Sex offenders in Etowah County cannot live close to schools or childcare centers. Code of Alabama § 15-20A-11 sets a 2,000-foot buffer zone. That is about four-tenths of a mile. The rule covers any place that regularly serves children.
Gadsden and other cities in the county may add their own rules. Some ban offenders from parks, pools, or libraries near schools. Check with local city halls to see what extra limits apply in your area. The sheriff can tell you if a specific address is allowed.
The buffer zone limits housing options in urban areas. Some offenders end up in rural pockets of Etowah County. If you think an offender lives too close to a school, report it to the sheriff. They will check the address and act if needed.
Community Notification in Etowah County
When a sex offender moves into Etowah County, the sheriff tells the community. Code of Alabama § 15-20A-21 requires notice to homes within 1,000 to 2,000 feet. Schools within three miles also get notified. This happens within days of the offender registering.
You can sign up for email alerts through OffenderWatch. Enter your address on the state search site. You will get an email when an offender moves into or out of your area. This free service helps Etowah County families stay aware of activity near their homes and schools.
For high-risk offenders, the sheriff may post flyers or hold community meetings. These extra steps are at the sheriff's choice. Call (256) 546-2825 if you want more info about someone on the registry.
Report a Violation in Etowah County
If you think a sex offender in Etowah County is not following the rules, report it. Common problems include wrong address, missed check-ins, or being near a school. Code of Alabama § 15-20A-37 makes these acts a Class C felony. That can mean one to ten years in prison.
To report, call the Etowah County Sheriff at (256) 546-2825. You can also use the tip form on OffenderWatch or contact ALEA. Give as much detail as you can. Include the offender's name, what rule they broke, and when it happened. Tips from residents help catch those who try to hide.
The sheriff does regular compliance checks. Deputies visit offenders at home to make sure they live where they claim. They check jobs and look for unreported vehicles. If something does not match what is in the registry, let the sheriff know.
Cities in Etowah County
Etowah County has several cities and towns. All sex offenders in these areas register with the county sheriff. The county seat is Gadsden. Other places include Attalla, Rainbow City, Hokes Bluff, Glencoe, and Southside. None has a population over 50,000, so all registration goes through the county.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Etowah County. If you live near the county line, register with the right sheriff. Sex offenders must register in the county where they actually live.