Macon Reporter

The number of sex offenders living in Brown County remained at one as of the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to the previous quarter, according to the Illinois Police Sex Offender Registry.

Sexual predators and child murderers remain on the registry for the rest of their lives. Sexually violent people are no longer listed 10 years after their conviction.

The offenders moving into Brown County may have been recently convicted or moved from other cities in the US.

According to a 2024 study by SafeHome.org, Illinois ranks fifth in the total number of registered sex offenders, with more than 34,000 living in the state.

Nationally, the study found over 795,000 registered sex offenders in the U.S. as of August 2024 — an increase of approximately 8,000 compared to 2023.

Offender	Title	Status	Crime
Robert F. Merrow	Sexual Predator	Compliant	Aggravated criminal sexual abuse/victim <13 and Predatory criminal sexual assault