A registered sexual offender was arrested in Hernando County on April 11, 2025, for failing to meet Florida’s bi-annual registration requirements, according to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office.
Edward Lee Powell, 55, was charged with one count of failure to re-register bi-annually, a violation of Florida law for designated sexual offenders.
Powell was adjudicated guilty in 2014 in Citrus County for using a computer to solicit a child to engage in sexual conduct. As a result of that conviction, he is required to comply with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s (FDLE) Sexual Offender Profile System (SOPS) registration rules.
Authorities received information on April 4, 2025, indicating that Powell was no longer living in Ohio and had returned to Florida, residing at an unknown address in Hernando County. His last known permanent address on file with FDLE was in Citrus County. Investigators identified a possible residence in Spring Hill.
On April 11, Detective G. Marcacci located Powell living at an address off Essex Lane in Spring Hill. Powell was found to be in violation of the required bi-annual registration and was subsequently placed under arrest.
He was transported to the Hernando County Detention Center and is currently being held without bond.
