The Izard County Sheriff’s Department is releasing this information pursuant to Act 989 of 1997 and amendments of 2006 regarding sex offenders.  Roy L. Stroud,  recently released from prison, is residing at 412 County Line Road,  Mt. Pleasant. Stroud  was convicted   in July 2009 in Izard County Circuit Court for sexual assault second degree -two counts of an 8 to 10 year old girl (his granddaughter) and a fourteen year old female acquaintance.   The offense involved Stroud having sexual contact on multiple occasions with the victims and that the contact was intrusive.

Sheriff Tate Lawrence said that Stroud is classified as a Level 3 Offender which states that these individuals usually have histories of repeat sexual offending and/or strong anti-social, violent  or predatory personality characteristics.  Sexual compulsions are likely to be present, but may be kept under control when relapse prevention plans are followed and treatment is continued.  The offense patterns of Level 3 Offenders reflect a relatively high probability of re-offense and/or risk of substantial injury to victims should re-offense occur.

Stroud  is described as a 75 year old white male, 5’ 07” tall, 186 pounds  having blue eyes and gray hair..

Sheriff Lawrence said that a sex offender notification has been hand delivered to residences within  a half mile radius  of Stroud’s residence.  This notification is not intended to increase fear, rather it  is our belief that  an informed public is a safer public.  The Izard County Sheriff’s Department has no legal authority to direct where a sex offender lives.  Unless court-ordered restrictions exist, the offender is constitutionally free to live where he chooses. Lawrence went on to say that sex offenders have always lived in our communities, but it wasn’t until the passage of the Sex and Child Offender Registration Act that law enforcement even knew where they were living.  In many cases, law enforcement is now able share information with the public.  This information cannot be used to threaten, intimidate, or harass registered sex offenders; otherwise law enforcement’s ability to do community notifications could potentially end.  We believe the only person who wins if the community notification ends is the sex offender in that sex offenders derive their power through secrecy.

News Release                                                    Note: Picture of Stroud provided print

For Immediate Release                                                media

June 13, 2012

POC: Sheriff Tate Lawrence

870 368 4203