WV State Police receive US Dept. of Justice grant to monitor sex - WOWK 13 Charleston, Huntington WV News, Weather, Sports

WV State Police receive US Dept. of Justice grant to monitor sex offenders

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The West Virginia State Police is receiving federal grant money to monitor registered sex offenders.

During a news conference on Monday afternoon, West Virginia State Police leaders announced that the agency has received a two-year grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to help improve its sex offender registry.

The money will be used to verify offenders, hire two digital forensics analysts to examine confiscated computers and to put more people on the streets, according to a State Police spokesperson.

Officers believe the money is desperately needed to make sure people on the registry are accounted for. "I absolutely believe that it's important and the information that's submitted should be accurate. As you can see, there are some that aren't going to provide accurate information. That's our job to go out, follow up and make sure that it's accurate," said Sgt. Michael Baylous with the West Virginia State Police.

The agency will receive nearly $400,000 from the grant over the next two years.