Search Russell County Sex Offenders

Russell County sex offender registration is handled by the Sheriff's Office in Phenix City. All registered offenders in the county must check in at this office quarterly and keep their info current in the state database.

Russell County Sheriff's Office

The Russell County Sheriff handles all sex offender registration for the county. Offenders must appear in person at the sheriff's office. They need to bring a photo ID and pay the $10 quarterly fee. Staff will take their photo, collect fingerprints, and update the state database. The office can answer your questions about who must register and what the rules are.

Russell County borders Georgia and sits directly across the Chattahoochee River from Columbus, Georgia. Phenix City is the county seat and largest city. Sheriff Heath Taylor has served since 2011 and the office maintains a strong online presence. They offer a mobile app called "Russell County Sheriff AL" that residents can download for alerts and information.

The border location means the sheriff coordinates with Georgia authorities on sex offender matters. Offenders who live in Russell County but work in Georgia must still register with the Alabama sheriff. The same applies in reverse for people coming from Georgia.

How to Search Russell County Sex Offenders

You can search for sex offenders in Russell County through several methods. The state database is the most complete source. It has every registered offender in the county with photos, addresses, and offense details. The sheriff's website also provides links to search tools. Both methods are free to use.

The ALEA Community Information Center at app.alea.gov/community is the main search tool. Click the Sex Offender link, then search by name or address. You can filter results to show only Russell County. The site shows a map with pins for each offender. Click any pin to see the full profile.

To search sex offenders in Russell County, you can use:

• Name of the offender
• Street address or city
• ZIP code
• Map view to browse visually

You can also call the Russell County Sheriff at (334) 298-6535. Staff can check if someone is on the registry. They can tell you how many offenders live in a certain area. The mobile app also provides access to public safety information.

Registration Requirements in Russell County

Sex offenders in Russell County must follow strict rules set by Alabama law. Code of Alabama Section 15-20A-10 requires quarterly in-person verification. This means four visits per year. Offenders must come in during their birth month and every three months after that. Missing a check-in is a felony.

Each visit costs $10. The sheriff collects this fee and uses it to fund 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 vehicle info. They take a new photo and update fingerprints if needed.

Offenders who move into Russell County have three days to register. This applies to people moving from other Alabama counties or from Georgia across the river. Those coming from Columbus or other Georgia cities need to register with the Alabama sheriff quickly. They must also notify the sheriff within three days if they change jobs or get a new car. These deadlines come from Code of Alabama Section 15-20A-22.

What Russell County Records Show

Sex offender records in Russell County include detailed info about each person on the registry. Code of Alabama Section 15-20A-8 lists what the public can see. The goal is to help residents know who lives in their area and what crimes they committed.

Each sex offender listing in Russell County shows:

• Full name and any aliases
• Date of birth
• Current photo
• Home address
• Work address and employer
• Physical description and marks
• Vehicle information
• Sex offense history with dates

Some info is kept private. Social Security numbers, phone numbers, and victim details are not shown to the public. The sheriff has this data but does not post it online. If you need more details about an offender, contact the sheriff's office directly.

Residency Rules in Russell County

Sex offenders in Russell County cannot live near schools or childcare centers. Code of Alabama Section 15-20A-11 sets a 2,000-foot buffer zone. This is about four-tenths of a mile. The rule applies to any place that regularly serves children.

Phenix City and other Russell County areas may have extra local rules. Some ban offenders from parks, libraries, or bus stops near schools. The proximity to Columbus, Georgia, adds complexity since offenders who live in Alabama must follow Alabama rules even if they spend time across the border. The sheriff's office can tell you if a specific address is allowed.

If you are concerned about an offender living too close to a school in Phenix City or elsewhere in Russell County, report it to the sheriff. They will check the address and take action if it violates the law.

Community Notification in Russell County

When a sex offender moves into Russell County, the sheriff notifies the community. Code of Alabama Section 15-20A-21 requires notice to homes within 1,000 to 2,000 feet. Schools within three miles also get told. This happens within days of the offender registering.

You can sign up for email alerts through OffenderWatch. Go to the state search site and enter your address. You will get an email whenever an offender moves into or out of your area. This is a free service. Russell County residents use it to track activity near their home and their kids' schools.

The sheriff's mobile app also provides alerts and notifications. The sheriff may post flyers or hold community meetings for high-risk offenders. If you want more info about a specific offender, call the sheriff's office at (334) 298-6535.

Report a Violation in Russell County

If you think a sex offender in Russell County is breaking the rules, report it. Common violations include living at the wrong address, failing to check in, or being near a school. Code of Alabama Section 15-20A-37 makes these acts a Class C felony with one to ten years in prison.

To report a violation, call the Russell County Sheriff at (334) 298-6535. You can also use the tip form on OffenderWatch or contact ALEA directly. Give as much detail as you can. Include the offender's name, what rule they broke, and when it happened. Tips from the public help catch offenders who try to hide.

The sheriff does regular compliance checks. Deputies visit offenders at home to make sure they live where they say they do. They also check work addresses and look for unreported vehicles. If you see something that does not match what is in the registry, let the sheriff know.

Columbus Metro Area

Russell County is part of the Columbus, Georgia metropolitan area. Phenix City sits directly across the Chattahoochee River from Columbus. Many residents work in Georgia but live in Alabama. This border location means people move back and forth regularly.

Sex offenders who move from Georgia to Russell County must register within three days. Those who work in Georgia but live in Russell County must still comply with Alabama registration rules. The sheriff coordinates with Georgia authorities to track offenders who cross the state line. If you are relocating to Russell County from Georgia, contact the sheriff's office right away to understand your registration requirements.

Cities in Russell County

Russell County has several communities including Phenix City, Hurtsboro, and Seale. All sex offenders in these areas register with the Russell County Sheriff. The county seat is Phenix City.

None of the cities in Russell County exceed 50,000 residents, so individual city pages are not available. Use the county-level search to find offenders in any Russell County community.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Russell County. If you live near the county line, make sure you register with the right sheriff. Sex offenders must register in the county where they actually live.