BEDFORD– Dustin Carron, a 28-year-old Bedford resident, was arrested after an investigation revealed he failed to comply with the requirements of Indiana’s Sex Offender Registry and violated residency restrictions.
Carron, who was convicted of sexual misconduct with a minor in 2020, was required by law to register with the Indiana Sex and Violent Offender Registry due to his classification as a sex offender against children. The Judge assigned him a lifetime registration requirement in July 2024.
The investigation, led by Detective Sergeant Michael Ramos of the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department, began when the Department of Child Services called on September 16, 2024, inquiring whether Carron was permitted to be around children. A check of Carron’s records revealed several discrepancies related to his registration and residence.
Carron registered at the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department on August 8, 2024, and provided his principal and mailing address. However, his state-issued identification, obtained on August 27, 2024, listed an address at 432 Q Street, which was found to be in close proximity—908 feet—from the Bedford Free Methodist Church Preschool. Under Indiana law, offenders classified as child offenders are prohibited from residing within 1,000 feet of schools or youth centers.
Further investigation showed that Carron had not reported the issuance of his identification card to the Sheriff’s Department, which he was required to do under the terms of his registration. When questioned, Carron initially stated that he only visited the Q Street address for meals and to shower, claiming he lived at another address, 42 Newton Street. However, his claims were contradicted by residents at both addresses, who stated Carron did not reside at either location.
Carron was later interviewed by Detective Ramos, who confronted him with evidence from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles showing the Q Street address as his residence. During the interview, Carron admitted to only visiting the Q Street address but failed to provide any documentation or evidence of a proper change in his registration.
Carron faces charges for failure to register a sex offender and a sex offender residency offense, both Level 6 felonies.
Those facing criminal charges are considered innocent unless convicted through due legal proceedings. Accusations alone do not imply guilt; the judicial system will evaluate the presented evidence to reach a verdict.
