Pope County Sex Offenders
Pope County sex offenders register with the Sheriff's Office in Glenwood and are tracked through Minnesota's statewide predatory offender registry. Located in west central Minnesota, Pope County is a rural area with lakes and farmland centered around Glenwood and Lake Minnewaska. Residents can search registered sex offenders in Pope County for free using the BCA's online registry, which covers all risk levels and updates within 48 hours of any change. The Sheriff's Office handles registration intake, compliance checks, and works with the state on community notification when the risk level calls for it.
Pope County Overview
Pope County Sheriff's Office
The Pope County Sheriff's Office in Glenwood handles predatory offender registration for the county. Deputies process new registrations when sex offenders move to the area, verify home and work addresses, and forward all required information to the BCA. Compliance checks are done regularly to make sure registrants are where they say they are and that their information stays current.
Pope County is a small rural county with a mix of year-round residents and seasonal lake visitors. The Sheriff's Office handles registration for all unincorporated areas and smaller communities in the county. If someone registers a seasonal or secondary address in Pope County, such as a lake cabin, that address must also be disclosed under the requirements of Minnesota Statute 243.166. Call the Sheriff's Office at (320) 634-5411 with any questions about local registrants or to report a compliance issue.
| Office | Pope County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Glenwood, MN |
| Phone | (320) 634-5411 |
| Website | co.pope.mn.us/sheriff |
Searching Pope County Sex Offender Records
The BCA Predatory Offender Registry at por.state.mn.us is the main public tool for sex offenders in Pope County. Search by county, city, name, or zip code. Each result shows the registrant's name, photo, current address, and registration details. The BCA updates the database within 48 hours of any change submitted by Pope County law enforcement.
Level 3 sex offenders have the most detailed public profiles. Use the DOC Public Registrant Search at coms.doc.state.mn.us/publicregistrantsearch for Level 3 cases in Pope County. Level 3 means the state's review committee assessed the person as the highest risk of reoffending. Their profiles are available to anyone. You can also call the DOC at (651) 361-7340 for specific questions about Level 3 registrants.
The National Sex Offender Public Website links to registries in all 50 states. It is useful when checking on someone who may have recently moved to Pope County from another state.
Sex Offender Registration Requirements in Pope County
Registration in Pope County is controlled by Minnesota Statute 243.166. Any person convicted of a qualifying sex offense must register with local law enforcement wherever they live, work, or go to school. In Pope County, registration goes through the Sheriff's Office in Glenwood. Failing to register is a felony. Providing false information is also a felony under Minnesota law.
Required disclosures include the primary home address, any secondary addresses, work location, school enrollment if applicable, and vehicle information. Anyone who spends significant time at a lake property in Pope County should also report that address. Those without a stable home must check in with the Sheriff's Office on a regular schedule and file a Lack of Primary Address form with the BCA. The BCA maintains the master record and can be reached at (651) 793-7070. Standard registration lasts ten years after supervised release ends. The most serious offenses require lifetime registration.
Community Notification in Pope County
Under Minnesota Statute 244.052, sex offenders released from prison receive a risk level assignment before returning to any Minnesota community. That level determines how much public notification takes place in Pope County.
Level 1 is low risk. Law enforcement and victims who asked to be notified are told. The general public receives no notification. Level 2 is moderate risk. Schools, daycares, parks, and organizations serving vulnerable people near the offender's Pope County address get notification by mail or direct contact. Level 3 is the highest risk. These cases trigger full public notification. The DOC posts the offender's profile publicly, community meetings may be held in Glenwood or other Pope County areas, and residents near the offender's address may receive flyers, mail, or electronic alerts.
Resources for Pope County Residents
The VINE notification system (1-877-664-8463) is a free service that sends automatic alerts when a specific sex offender's custody status changes. Pope County residents can sign up by phone or online to receive alerts by call, text, or email. VINE connects to Pope County jail systems and state correctional facilities so you can track custody changes for specific individuals.
The DOC community notification page provides background on how Minnesota manages sex offender notification and what to expect when a high-risk offender arrives in a community. Court records for sex offense cases from Pope County are available through Minnesota Court Records Online.
Use the BCA Predatory Offender Registry to search sex offenders registered in Pope County and throughout Minnesota.
The registry covers all risk levels and is updated within 48 hours of any change in Pope County or elsewhere in the state.
Nearby Counties
Pope County is bordered by several west central Minnesota counties. Each handles sex offender registration through its own sheriff's office.