Sex offender spotted operating ride at Darke Co. Fair

A registered sex offender faces new charges after he was spotted operating a kids’ ride at a local fair.

Tyrus A. Worsham, 26, was in violation of his probation when working on the attraction at the Great Darke County Fair, according to officials with the Darke County Sheriff’s Office.

Worsham was arrested at the Darke County Fairgrounds on Aug. 20 after “Somebody recognized him,” said Sgt. Mike Burns.

Worsham had most recently been registered as a Tier III sex offender in Miami County, according to Sgt. Burns. It’s unclear how the person who reported Worsham recognized him but Sgt. Burns estimated it could have been through an online registry.

In January 2010, Worsham was convicted in Darke County of unlawful sexual contact with a minor. He was sentenced to to three years and released in October 2012.

Ricky Seyfang, an official with the Adult Parole Authority, said Worsham violated a condition in his parole that prohibited unauthorized contact with minors. Seyfang said her organization was not aware of his employment at the fair prior to this arrest.

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