Anonymous tip leads Hall County authorities to sex offender

GAINESVILLE - Officials with the Hall County Sheriff's Office said an anonymous tip lead them to a sex offender who moved to the area from out of state.

Hall County Sheriff's Deputy Chad Mann said Jerome Chester Johnson was arrested Tuesday. Johnson had just moved to Georgia from New Jersey and had failed to register as a sex offender, according to Mann.

"Johnson had a pretty extensive criminal background including charges of burglary, kidnapping, sexual assault and possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime," said Mann.

Mann said authorities were grateful for the public's help, especially given Johnson's criminal record.

"Sheriff Gerald Couch and the rest of gang at the office would like to thank the public for being the department's eyes and ears," said Mann.

At last report Johnson remained in the Hall County jail.