Houston County Sex Offenders

Houston County sex offenders are registered through Minnesota's statewide predatory offender system, with local compliance managed by the Houston County Sheriff's Office in Caledonia. To search sex offenders in Houston County, start with the BCA registry at por.state.mn.us, which covers all risk levels and updates within 48 hours of any change. Level 3 offenders can be found through the Department of Corrections public database at coms.doc.state.mn.us. Houston County sits in Minnesota's southeastern corner, sharing borders with both Wisconsin and Iowa, which means the Sheriff's Office coordinates with out-of-state agencies when offenders cross those borders.

Houston County Sheriff's Office

The Houston County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for predatory offender registration in the county. Deputies verify that registered sex offenders are living where they reported and conduct in-person checks as required by state law. Houston County borders both Wisconsin and Iowa, so the Sheriff's Office also works with neighboring state agencies when offenders move across those state lines.

Minnesota law under Minn. Stat. 243.166 requires all predatory offenders to report changes to their address, employment, school enrollment, and vehicle information within five days. Offenders who fail to comply face felony charges. The penalty is up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. The Sheriff's Office investigates all registration violations and coordinates with the BCA when issues arise.

The Houston County Sheriff's Office at co.houston.mn.us/sheriff manages all predatory offender registration and compliance for the county.

The Sheriff coordinates with the BCA and out-of-state law enforcement when registered offenders cross into Wisconsin or Iowa.

Caledonia Police and Local Enforcement

The Caledonia Police Department handles sex offender matters within the city of Caledonia, the county seat of Houston County. The department at caledoniamn.gov/police works alongside the Sheriff on Level 3 community notifications for the city. When a high-risk predatory offender moves into Caledonia, the police department coordinates the notification process under Minn. Stat. 244.052.

Caledonia is the largest city in Houston County, though the overall population of the county remains small. Most communities in Houston County are served directly by the Sheriff's Office rather than a separate city police department. The Caledonia Police and the Sheriff work together to make sure all predatory offender registrations are processed correctly and that the BCA registry reflects current information for Houston County residents.

The Caledonia Police Department at caledoniamn.gov/police handles city-level registration and notifications for predatory sex offenders in Caledonia.

The Caledonia PD works closely with the county sheriff to manage sex offender compliance within the city.

How to Search Houston County Sex Offender Records

The BCA Predatory Offender Registry at por.state.mn.us is the primary resource for finding sex offenders in Houston County. The site lets you search by county, city, name, or zip code. Results include all three risk levels. Updates to the registry happen within 48 hours of any change, so the information stays current. Call the BCA at (651) 793-7070 with questions about the registry or specific offenders.

For Level 3 offenders only, use the DOC public search at coms.doc.state.mn.us. This site shows high-risk offenders with photos and current addresses. The DOC can be reached at (651) 361-7340 or (866) 396-9953. You can also use the National Sex Offender Public Website at nsopw.gov to check on people who may have moved to Houston County from Wisconsin or Iowa.

Note: Minnesota Court Records Online at mncourts.gov lets you search criminal case records from Houston County District Court for sex offense cases.

Community Notification in Houston County

When a Level 3 predatory offender is released to Houston County, local law enforcement must notify nearby residents and organizations. The Sheriff handles notification for unincorporated areas, and the Caledonia Police handles it within city limits. Notification can include door-to-door flyers near the offender's address, notices to schools and other institutions, and public postings. The process is required by Minn. Stat. 244.052 and is designed to give the public the information they need to protect themselves.

Residents can sign up for VINE notifications at vinelink.com or call 1-877-664-8463. VINE sends automatic alerts when an offender's custody status changes, including releases from jail or prison. It is free, available 24 hours a day, and can notify you by phone, email, or text. The DOC Community Notification page at mn.gov/doc/community-supervision/community-notification/ has more information on how the process works statewide.

Cities in Houston County

Houston County includes Caledonia, La Crescent, Houston, Spring Grove, Rushford Village, Hokah, Brownsville, and other small communities. No cities in Houston County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All predatory offender registrations in the county are handled through the Houston County Sheriff's Office and, within Caledonia, the city police department. Offenders in any part of the county must follow state registration rules and report any changes within five days.

Nearby Counties

Houston County borders Fillmore and Winona counties in Minnesota, and also shares borders with Wisconsin and Iowa. The following Minnesota counties link to their own pages on this site.