The Adam Walsh Act replaces previous sex offender classification designations such as Sexual Predator, or Sexually Oriented Offender, with Tier classification designations. The Tier classification designations for sex offenders are determined by the criminal offense or offenses the offender was convicted of. The Adam Walsh Act was retroactive and included the re-classification of all sex offenders previously convicted as well as determining the classification of all sex offenders convicted in the future.

The County Sheriff is responsible under Ohio law for the registration of sex offenders. Sex offenders must register with the County Sheriff on scheduled periodic bases, which is determined by their sex offender Tier classification. In addition, sex offenders must register with the County Sheriff any change of residential address, place of employment, or enrollment in a school or institution of higher education.

For more information, sheriff alerts, and to locate sex offenders, visit the Sheriff's Office Sex Offender Registry.

Sex Offender Classifications

Tier 3
Lifetime Registration with address verification every 90 days

1. 2907.02 Rape
2. 2907.03 Sexual Battery
3. 2903.01 Agg. Murder with sexual motivation
4. 2903.02 Murder with sexual motivation
5. 2903.04(A) Unlawful Death or termination of pregnancy as a result of committing or attempt to commit a felony with sexual motivation
6. 2905.01 (A)(4) Kidnapping of minor to engage in sexual activity
7. 2905.01 (B) Kidnapping of minor, not by parent
8. 2907.05 (B) (New section of Gross Sexual Imposition)
9. 2903.11 Felonious Assault with sexual motivation
10. Pre-AWA(Adam Walsh Act) predators unless re-classified after hearing under ORC 2950.031 or 2950.032
11. Any sexual offense that occurs after the offender is classified as a Tier II or III offender.
12. Automatic classification after SVP specification 2971.03
13. Includes an attempt, complicity or conspiracy to commit any of these offenses
14. * Any law from another jurisdiction that is comparable to these offenses shall fall within that same tier.

Tier 2
Registration for 25 years with address verification every 180 days

1. 2907.21 Compelling Prostitution
2. 2907.321 Pandering Obscenity Involving a Minor
3. 2907.322 Pandering Sexually Oriented Material Involving a Minor
4. 2907.323 (A)(1) and (2) Illegal Use of a Minor in Nudity-oriented Material or Performance
5. 2907.04 when offender is at least 4 years older, or when the offender is less than 4 years older and has prior conviction for 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.04.
6. 2907.05 (A)(4) Gross Sexual Imposition victim under 13
7. 2919.22 (B)(5) Child Endangering
8. 2905.01 (A)(1)-(3), (5) Kidnapping with sexual Motivation
9. 2905.01 (A)(4) victim over 18
10. 2905.02 (B) Abduction with sexual motivation {new under SB 10}
11. Any sexual offense that occurs after the offender has been classified as a Tier I offender.
12. Includes an attempt, complicity or conspiracy to commit any of these offenses
13. Pre-AWA Habitual offenders, unless re-classified after hearing under ORC 2950.031 or 2950.032
14. * Any law from another jurisdiction that is comparable to these offenses shall fall within that same tier.

Tier 1
Registration for 15 years with address verification annually

1. 2907.07 Importuning
2. 2907.04 Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor, non-consensual and offender less than 4 years older than victim, not previously convicted of 2907.02, 2907.03, or 2907.04.
3. 2907.08 Voyeurism
4. 2907.06 Sexual Imposition
5. 2907.05 (A)(1)-(3), (5) Gross Sexual Imposition
6. 2907.323 (A)(3) Illegal Use of a Minor in Nudity-oriented Material or Performance
7. 2905.05 (B) Child Enticement with sexual motivation {new under SB 10}
8. 2907.32 Pandering Obscenity
9. 2903.211 (A)(3) Menacing by Stalking with sexual motivation {new under SB10}
10. 2905.03(B) Unlawful Restraint with sexual motivation {new under SB 10}
11. Includes an attempt, complicity or conspiracy to commit any of these offenses
12. Child-victim offender not in Tier II or III.
13. * Any law from another jurisdiction that is comparable to these offenses shall fall within that same tier.