Olmsted County Sex Offenders
Olmsted County sex offenders register with the Sheriff's Office and are tracked through Minnesota's statewide predatory offender registry. Home to Rochester, Minnesota's third-largest city and the site of the Mayo Clinic, Olmsted County has both urban and rural areas with a population of around 162,000. Residents can search registered sex offenders in Olmsted County for free using the BCA registry, which covers all risk levels and updates within 48 hours of any change. The Olmsted County Sheriff's Office and the Rochester Police Department both handle registration, and they coordinate with each other and with state agencies on community notification.
Olmsted County Overview
Olmsted County Sheriff's Office
The Olmsted County Sheriff's Office is based at 151 4th St SE in Rochester and is the primary agency for predatory offender registration across the county. Sheriff Kevin E. Torgerson has led the office since 2015. The Sheriff's Office handles registration for sex offenders in the unincorporated parts of the county and smaller communities. When someone moves into Olmsted County, they must register at the Sheriff's Office within the window set by Minnesota Statute 243.166. Deputies verify home addresses and forward updates to the BCA.
The Olmsted County Adult Detention Center holds inmates awaiting trial or serving short sentences, including those charged with predatory offender registration violations. The detention center can be reached at (507) 328-6790. For general Sheriff's Office inquiries about sex offender registration, call the main line at (507) 328-6770.
| Office | Olmsted County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 151 4th St SE, Rochester, MN 55904 |
| Phone | (507) 328-6770 |
| Detention Center | (507) 328-6790 |
| Website | olmstedcounty.gov - Sheriff's Office |
The Olmsted County Sheriff's Office handles predatory offender registration and community notification for sex offenders in the county.
Sheriff Kevin E. Torgerson has served since 2015 and oversees predatory offender coordination alongside state agencies.
Rochester Police Department and Sex Offender Registration
The Rochester Police Department handles predatory offender registration for sex offenders who live within Rochester city limits. The department's non-emergency line is (507) 328-6800, and the department is located at 101 4th St SE, Rochester, MN 55904. For sex offenders who live outside the city in the rural county, registration goes to the Sheriff's Office.
Rochester PD coordinates community notification for Level 2 and Level 3 offenders within city boundaries. For Level 3 cases, the department may hold public meetings or post alerts on the city website. One notable aspect of Rochester's approach is coordination with Mayo Clinic Security. Given the volume of patients, healthcare workers, and visitors at Mayo, public safety communications about high-risk offenders can include notification to Mayo Clinic Security so appropriate awareness measures can be taken at the healthcare campus.
When MSOP patients are given provisional releases to the Rochester area, the Rochester PD and Olmsted County Sheriff both receive notice through the same state community notification process. This coordination helps ensure that both city and county areas are covered when a high-risk offender is placed in the community.
How to Find Sex Offenders in Olmsted County
The BCA Predatory Offender Registry at por.state.mn.us is the most complete public resource for sex offenders in Olmsted County. Search by name, city, county, or zip code. Each result shows the registrant's current address, photo, and registration details. The BCA updates the database within 48 hours of any change reported by the Olmsted County Sheriff or Rochester PD.
For Level 3 offenders, the DOC Public Registrant Search at coms.doc.state.mn.us/publicregistrantsearch provides the most detailed public profiles. Level 3 means the state's review committee determined the offender poses the highest risk of reoffending. Their information is publicly available and includes photos, current addresses, and case details. You can call the DOC at (651) 361-7340 for questions about specific registrants.
The Olmsted County District Court handles criminal sex offense cases in the county. Court records including charges, case status, and sentencing information are accessible through Minnesota Court Records Online.
The National Sex Offender Public Website links to registries in all 50 states. Use it to check records on someone who recently moved to Olmsted County from another state.
The Olmsted County District Court processes criminal sex offense cases and registration violation hearings in Rochester.
Court records for sex offense cases in Olmsted County are available through Minnesota Court Records Online.
Sex Offender Registration Requirements in Olmsted County
Predatory offender registration in Olmsted County follows Minnesota Statute 243.166. Any person convicted of a qualifying sex offense must register with local law enforcement wherever they live, work, or attend school. Those inside Rochester city limits register with the Rochester Police Department. Those in the rest of the county register with the Sheriff's Office. Both agencies send updates to the BCA so the statewide registry stays current.
Required information includes the primary home address, any secondary addresses, work location, school if enrolled, and vehicle details. People without a stable address must check in with the Sheriff's Office weekly and file a Lack of Primary Address form with the BCA. Most registrants stay on the registry for ten years after supervised release ends. The most serious offenses require lifetime registration. The BCA can be reached at (651) 793-7070 for registry questions.
Community Notification in Olmsted County
Under Minnesota Statute 244.052, every sex offender released from prison receives a risk level assignment before they return to the community. That level guides the notification process in Olmsted County.
Level 1 is low risk. Law enforcement and victims who requested notice are informed. The general public does not receive notification. Level 2 is moderate risk. Schools, daycares, parks, and organizations serving vulnerable people near the offender's Olmsted County address receive notice. Level 3 is the highest risk. The DOC posts the offender's full profile publicly, community meetings may be held in Rochester or other Olmsted County communities, and broader outreach can include flyers, phone alerts, or electronic notifications to nearby residents.
Resources for Olmsted County Residents
The VINE notification system (1-877-664-8463) lets Olmsted County residents sign up for free alerts when an offender's custody or supervision status changes. VINE notifies you by phone, text, or email when someone specific is released from jail or moved to a different facility. The service is available day and night.
The DOC community notification page explains the full process for how Minnesota handles sex offender notification. Court records for sex offense cases handled in Olmsted County are available through Minnesota Court Records Online.
Cities in Olmsted County
Rochester is the largest city in Olmsted County and handles its own sex offender registration through the Rochester Police Department. All other communities in the county use the Sheriff's Office.
Other communities in Olmsted County include Stewartville, Chatfield, and Eyota. Sex offenders in those areas register with the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office.
Nearby Counties
Olmsted County is bordered by several southeastern Minnesota counties. Each county handles sex offender registration through its own sheriff's office.