The bi-annual Cherokee Sheriff's Office sex offender verification late last week resulted in the arrest of 15 individuals.

The operation, which took place last Thursday and Friday, is used to verify the home addresses of the 186 sex offenders living in Cherokee County. Of the 15 people arrested, four were sex offenders and 11 were arrested on outstanding warrants and other violations.

James Warren, 25, of Acworth, isn't a sex offender. He was arrested on outstanding warrants in Hall County as well as a charge of giving a false name and birth date. He is being held at the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center in lieu of $1,000 bond.

In addition to Warren, those arrested were:  

• Tyler Luikart, 27 years old of Woodstock — Possession of Marijuana less than 1 oz., Violation of Probation, and Possession of a Drug Related Object, remains in custody with no bond.
• Amanda Lathren, 26 years old of Woodstock — Violation of Probation, remains in custody with no bond.
• Zachary Campbell, 20 years old of Woodstock — Possession of Marijuana less 1 oz., Giving False Name to Law Enforcement and Violation of Probation, remains in custody with no bond.
• Kayla Tidwell, 21 years old of Woodstock — Theft by Taking and Theft by Receiving, released on 3-16-2013 on $24,050 bond.
• Kevin Gould, 31 years old of Woodstock — Terroristic Threats, released 3-15-2013 on $11,200 bond. 
• Crissy Luikart, 21 years old of Woodstock — Possession of Marijuana less 1 oz., Violation of Probation, and Possession of a Drug Related Object, released 3-15-2013 on $1,635 bond.
• Matthew Garland, 25 years old of Woodstock — Theft by Taking, remains in custody with $16,000 bond.
• Juan Lopez, 20 years old of Canton — Violation of the Sex Offender Registry, still in custody with $11,200 bond.
• Timothy Zibung, 26 years old of Canton – Violation of the Sex Offender Registry, still in custody with $11,200 bond.
• Stacy West, 37 years old of Canton — Obstruction of an Officer, released 3-15-2013 on $680 bond.
• Devin Ragsdale, 17 years old of Canton — Failure to Appear Warrant, released 3-16-2013 on $1,934 bond.
• Anthony Densmore, 55 years old of Canton — Probation Violation & Giving false name to Law Enforcement, remains in custody with no bond.
• Joshua Hill, 27 years old of Canton — Violation of Probation and 2 counts of Theft by Shoplifting, remains in custody with no bond.
• Jordan Smith, 19 years old of Canton — Failure to appear, Failure to Appear Warrant, released 3-15-2013 on $1,910 bond.

(Editor's note: those names in bold indicate they are registered sex offenders)

Remaining addressees will be verified this week by the Sex Offender Registry Unit. Like Warren, those in custody are at the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center.

Other units and agencies participating in the initiative include the sheriff office's Violent Incident Proactive Enforcement Response (V.I.P.E.R.) unit, Canton Police Department, Holly Springs Police Department, Woodstock Police Department, Georgia Department of Corrections Parole and Probation and the F.B.I. North Georgia Major Offenders Task Force.

Cherokee County Sheriff Roger Garrison said his office "remains committed to ensuring that registered sex offenders are residing and working in approved locations."

"I consider this responsibility one of the highest priorities of this agency," he added.