On the evening of February 11, 2025, a McIntosh County officer who was transporting an inmate to the Coffee County Jail recognized a convicted sex offender from McIntosh County who had been living in Douglas for a number of years. The suspect, identified as Stephen Dale Jackson, 57, had not registered as a sex offender and, according to a press release from the sheriff’s office, was also in violation of the proximity law.
Jackson had been convicted of sexual battery in McIntosh County in 2019. He had been living unnoticed (and unregistered) in Douglas for several years.
The McIntosh County officer noticed Jackson working for a road construction company as he traveled in Coffee County. CCSO deputies were sent to the location where Jackson was employed and subsequently detained him. During a Mirandized interview, Jackson confessed to living in Douglas with his girlfriend for a number of years.
In Georgia, registered sex offenders are prohibited from residing within 1,000 feet of any childcare facility, school, church, public swimming pool, park, playground, recreation center, neighborhood center, gymnasium, skating rink, or school bus stop. According to O.C.G.A. 42-1-15, Jackson faces charges for violating this proximity law; depending on the specifics of his conviction, he could be sentenced to anywhere from one to thirty years in prison.
In addition to the violation regarding proximity, Jackson is also charged with failure to register. According to O.C.G.A. 42-1-12, sex offenders are required to register with the sheriff of their new county 72 hours prior to relocating. When combined with the previously mentioned proximity violation, Jackson may face an additional prison sentence ranging from one to thirty years.
“Thanks to McIntosh County deputies for seeing something, saying something and helping us do something. In our efforts to protect the citizens of this county, we believe in working together with all agencies to apprehend those who are a threat to the safeguarding of our community,” said Sheriff Fred Cole.