Where are 11 missing sex offenders?

YOUNGSTOWN — Eleven sex offenders are missing.

Two, Michael W. Anthony and Tommy W. “Shorty” Buckius, are classified as sexual predators. Anthony raped a 2-year-old boy, and Buckius raped a 13-year-old girl, records show.

By law, sex offenders must register their address with the sheriff’s department in their community. Locally, Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana sheriffs’ Web sites list sex offenders’ names, addresses, photos and crimes to promote safety in neighborhoods.

Offenders’ information is also passed on to the Ohio attorney general’s office, which has compiled a statewide database accessible at www.ag.state.oh.us. Some offenders are prohibited from living near areas where children are found — schools, parks and playgrounds, for example.

The 11 sex offenders who failed to register their current address “have absconded and their locations are unknown,” said Deputy U.S. Marshal Dean Michael, Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force coordinator. He said there are seven offenders whose addresses were once, but no longer, registered in Mahoning County and two each in Columbiana and Trumbull counties.

For more, see Sunday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com