Wind River Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act Office opened in Ethete

8-25-2012 Wyoming:

For the first time, and after four and a half years of planning and negotiating, the Wind River Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (WRSORNA) office has opened in Ethete, according to United States Attorney for the District of Wyoming, Christopher A. Crofts. The office will serve as the sole sex offender registry for the Wind River Reservation. The office began conducting registration on one week ago, Aug. 17th.

In a statement released from his Cheyenne office, Crofts thanked and congratulated WRSORNA Director Kendra Smith, who was instrumental in drafting the necessary legislation which was eventually passed by both the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone Business Councils. In addition, each Tribe’s governing body entered into memorandums of agreement to allow the necessary information sharing with the Wyoming Sex Offender Registry.

Crofts said Wyoming Sex Offender Registry officials also dedicated much time and effort to ensuring the successful transition of sex offenders from a state-only registration, to the tribal registry. The Bureau of Indian Affairs and Wind River Police Department also joined in to make the tribal registry possible.

Crofts said he applauded the efforts of the WRSORNA office, each Tribe, state officials, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, noting that a joint tribal sex offender registry will increase the safety of all citizens in and around Wyoming and Wind River communities by ensuring sex offenders are properly identified, registered and tracked. Crofts hopes the joint efforts which made the WRSORNA office a reality may serve as a model to all future efforts to strengthen Wyoming and Wind River community safety.

Persons with questions about the WRSORNA registry should contact Director Kendra Smith at (307) 840-2709. ..Source..