BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – News 6 got an inside look at how the State of Florida is protecting you from convicted criminals released from prison and ensuring they’re not breaking the law again.
Earlier this year News 6 discovered the Florida Department of Corrections does much more than just operate the country’s third-large state prison system.
FDOC has been operating a quick-reaction force created to respond to problems or complaints centered around convicted criminals living in society.
[News 6 rides along with a corrections team on the streets in the video below]
It’s called S.O.T.E.C. - Searching Offenders To Ensure Compliance.
SOTEC FDOC officers also regularly check on convicts who are under supervision, such as probation and house arrest, including sex offenders and predators.
Currently, some 6,800 offenders are being supervised by FDC in just Seminole and Brevard counties.
FDOC invited News 6 to its Cocoa branch office to witness S.O.T.E.C. checking on offenders who are also known gang members or suspected gang members.
FDOC planned to make nine visits in one day to offenders’ listed addresses in the Cocoa area “which ensures the safety of the community,” according to Ofc. M. McNicholas, the intelligence officer for the visits.
“The purpose of today’s operation is to check in on our offenders that we suspect or know are involved in criminal gangs, which includes checking to make sure that they don’t have anything that would threaten the community, such as a firearm,” McNicholas said.
The first visit was to the apartment complex address of an offender convicted of check fraud most recently, McNicholas said, but also a high-level known gang member.
When officers knocked, the offender was home and she allowed officers inside. Almost immediately they discovered evidence of drug activity on her living room table, McNicholas said.
Officers tested the packets and powder and said the results were positive for fentanyl. The offender was re-arrested.
McNicholas said the offender is known as an “enforcer” in her gang - a leadership position that requires her to execute orders often involving direct injury, pain or death to a person.
The next offender visit was also to a known gang member.
“He’s currently on probation for threatening to use a firearm and possession of cocaine,” McNicholas said.
When officers arrived, family members said the offender was not home.
McNicholas called the offender who eventually admitted he was home.
“It was determined the family was lying,” McNicholas said. “The offender was inside in the bathroom and he subsequently came outside and was secured.”
Why would an offender do that?
“Sometimes they’re afraid that they’re getting in trouble,” McNicholas said. “Or it could be for nefarious reasons. They’re trying to get rid of evidence or conceal items inside the residence.”
McNicholas said other than lying about his whereabouts, the offender appeared to be in compliance with the terms of his supervision, as are most offenders.
“The ideal day is when we don’t find anything and they’re doing what they’re supposed to do and we’re rehabilitating them, getting them employment and getting them reentering back into society,” McNicholas said. “That is the case in the vast majority of our door knocks.”
And regular checks, McNicholas said, incentivize offenders to remain in compliance.
“We do check,” McNicholas said. “And we might not get you the first time, but you’ll eventually get caught.”