ATHENS COUNTY, Ohio — In a joint operation, deputies from the Athens County Sheriff’s Office and officers from the Nelsonville Police Department successfully apprehended Michael Maffin, a 48-year-old registered sex offender.
Maffin was wanted by Franklin County on charges of felony counts of failing to register his sex offender status and escape. Upon receiving an anonymous tip, law enforcement authorities swiftly responded to the reported address. Deputies and officers, facing unresponsiveness from Maffin to both door knocks and phone calls, were granted access to the residence by the homeowner. Maffin was eventually located in an upstairs bedroom.
The Sheriff of Athens County commended the Athens County citizens who courageously came forward with information that led to Maffin’s apprehension. The Sheriff emphasized Maffin’s criminal history, stating, “Maffin was convicted of Pandering Sexually Oriented Matter Involving a Minor in 2012 and received a further three counts of Pandering Sexually Oriented Matter Involving a Minor in 2015.”
Maffin, a Tier III Sex Offender, had last registered in Franklin County but failed to comply with required registration. Currently under the supervision of the Ohio Adult Parole Authority, he had been considered whereabouts unknown until the recent arrest. The incident is now under investigation, and additional charges are expected to be filed.
The Athens County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with further information related to this case to come forward.