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Search underway for sex offender who failed to register in Osceola County

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — The Osceola County Sheriff's Office is looking for a sex offender they said failed to register.

Last month, deputies learned 37-year-old James Taylor Jr. was living in a hotel on US-192 despite listing his permanent addresses in Alachua County.

Investigators said Taylor had been visiting the area for about two months but failed to notify law enforcement.

Several days later when investigators returned to the motel, they learned Taylor had checked out, so detectives notified the Alachua County Sheriff's Office and verified he had not re-registered in their jurisdiction.

Based on that information, a warrant was issued for failing to comply with sex offender registration laws.

Taylor was convicted of lewd and lascivious child under 16 in 2000 and lewd or lascivious battery of a victim age 12-15 in 2005.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Osceola County Sheriff's Office at 407-348-2222 or Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS (8477).

Calls made to Crimeline remain anonymous, and tips that lead to the felony arrest of suspects and/or the recovery of stolen property and drugs are eligible for cash rewards of up to $1,000.