A 32-year-old Nicholson man sought for almost a year as an absconded sex offender is now in jail without bond after he unexpectedly surrendered to authorities in Stephens County.
Julius Lafayette Sewell arrived at the Toccoa Police Department shortly after 11 p.m. Friday and told police he had “papers” from Athens and Jackson County, Toccoa Police Chief Tim Jarrell said Tuesday.
Sewell’s motivation for surrendering was unclear, but Jarrell said he heard Sewell learned “everybody was looking for him.”
Sewell, who was convicted of statutory rape in June 2010 in Jackson County, had not notified authorities when in November 2014 he left his home in Nicholson, where he was registered to live, authorities said.
He was also wanted on a probation violation warrant in Clarke County.
Sheriff’s investigators are also seeking information on two other Jackson County sex offenders who have absconded.
Sherman Amando Lee, 44, of Jefferson failed to register and has been sought since December 2013. Lee was convicted of aggravated child molestation in July 2004.
Thomas Alan Freeman, 37, of Commerce Road, Athens, also made the sheriff’s “most wanted list” in 2013 when he moved from his home without notifying authorities. Freeman was convicted of sexual exploitation of children in August 2011.
Anyone with information on the suspects is asked to contact Investigator Dale Dillow at (706) 367-8718.