Hernando Sheriff Arrests Registered Offender for Failing to Update Registration

The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office arrested Ronnie Buttram, 52, on December 1 after investigators determined he failed to report required updates to his sexual offender registration. HCSO said it received information on November 24 indicating Buttram had not reported an employment termination and a new phone number, changes that Florida law requires be reported within 48 hours.

Buttram, who was convicted in Citrus County in 1994 of sexual assault of a victim aged 12 or older, was alleged to have been terminated from employment on October 28 and to have been using an unreported phone number. Investigators noted that he contacted the sheriff’s communications center on November 25 from the unreported number. Detective Marcacci met with Buttram at the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office on December 1 and placed him under arrest.

He is charged with failing to report a change of phone number within 48 hours and failing to report a change of employment within 48 hours. Buttram was booked into the Hernando County Detention Center and was held without bond. The charges stem from statutory reporting requirements intended to keep records current so law enforcement and the public can be aware of an offender’s whereabouts and contact information.

The arrest underscores the county’s focus on compliance with registration requirements that are designed to enhance public safety. For local residents, up to date registration helps investigators respond quickly when incidents occur and supports transparency about individuals required to register. For registrants, the case illustrates that routine administrative updates are subject to active review and enforcement by local authorities.

The sheriff’s office handled the investigative steps from the initial tip to the in person meeting and arrest, reflecting standard procedures for registration compliance checks. The community impact is chiefly tied to enforcement of the registration system and the message that changes in employment or contact information must be reported promptly under Florida law.