BROWNSTOWN — A multi-agency compliance investigation into the Jackson County sex offender registry has resulted in the arrest of a convicted sexually violent predator who was discovered secretly living just steps away from a local daycare facility.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that 69-year-old Larry W. Cockerham, originally of Seymour, was taken into custody on Thursday, July 2, 2026. He faces criminal charges for failing to register as a sex offender.
Under Indiana state law, Cockerham’s classification as a “sexually violent predator” mandates a strict, non-negotiable lifetime requirement to log his exact residential address with local law enforcement.
The investigation was initiated after dispatchers received an anonymous community tip reporting that Cockerham was actively staying at a property located on North Sycamore Street in Brownstown. The major concern raised by the tipster was the home’s proximity to St. Peter’s Lutheran Daycare, located on West Bridge Street.
Lt. Adam Nicholson of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department took over the case and utilized the department’s specialized Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping software to assess the potential threat. The digital tracking revealed that the residence that Cockerham was utilizing sat a mere 307 feet away from the daycare property.
Following the mapping confirmation, Lt. Nicholson, assisted by Deputy Aaron Wilkins, conducted a physical compliance check at the Brownstown residence.
While Cockerham’s official documentation on the state registry claimed his legal residence was located in Seymour, the on-scene investigation revealed a completely different reality. Deputies gathered definitive evidence indicating Cockerham had been spending substantial time at the Brownstown home and discovered a significant amount of his personal belongings kept inside the house.
Cockerham was placed under arrest without further incident and transported to the Jackson County Jail, where he is being held pending formal court proceedings.
Sheriff’s department officials emphasized that aggressive monitoring of the local registry is one of their most critical tools for keeping vulnerable populations safe.
“The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department remains deeply committed to monitoring registered sex offenders and ensuring absolute compliance with Indiana’s sex offender registry laws,” the department noted in a statement. “These compliance efforts are an indispensable asset in protecting our children, supporting overall public safety, and responding swiftly to urgent concerns reported directly by our community.”
How to Report a Registry Violation
Local authorities are encouraging neighbors to remain vigilant. If you suspect a registered offender is violating their residency restrictions, living at an unlisted location, or operating too close to a school, park, or childcare facility, you are urged to contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department immediately at 812-358-2141. All tips can be made anonymously.
Those facing criminal charges are considered innocent until proven guilty through a fair and due legal process. Accusations alone do not imply guilt; the judicial system will evaluate the presented evidence to reach a verdict.
