Five taken into custody after se

wbir.com-Local and federal law enforcement took several people into custody this week, following a sex offender compliance check in Loudon County.

Named "Operation Red Dawg," the effort included Eastern District U.S. Marshals, Loudon County Sheriff's and Loudon city Police Pepartment, the Lenoir City Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacoo and Firearms.

On Wednesday and Thursday, officials visited 54 registered sex offenders in the area.

"We're going to knock on their door, verify they're living where they're supposed to be living and complying with their sex offender registration requirements, set forth by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations," said Derrick Swenson, a senior inspector.

The agencies split into several teams as they worked their way down the list. Five individuals were taken into custody:

Officials confiscated six firearms during "Operation Red Dawg," and also dismantled a small marijuana grow operation.

In an emailed statement, Loudon County Sheriff Tim Guider thanked the U.S. Marshals and other assisting agencies.

"Keeping track of sex offenders is a labor-intensive task, but it is essential to ensure that the offenders are doing what they are supposed to be doing and to protect the safety of everyone in Loudon County," he said.

Under the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, U.S. Marshals Service have the authority to track and arrest sex offenders violating compliance around the country.

TBI's website includes several tools to locate sex offenders across the state. Click here for a sex offender list by county, or click here for a mapping option.