Forsyth Sheriff's Office Detective Arrests Three in Sex Offender Check

The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two registered sex offenders and a third person during a sex offender check performed earlier this week.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, a detective was attempting to determine whether registered sex offender Edward Earl Bennett, 69, had failed to register an address change. When the detective arrive at Bennett’s new home, he spotted a second person trying to hide from him. The second person eventually tried to flee the scene, but was caught by the detective. The man then attacked the detective, but was subdued and arrested.

The detective discovered the man who attacked him was Bill Ray Wiggins, 57, a registered sex offender in Lumpkin County who had absconded in August. He had an active warrant in Lumpkin County for failure to register as a sex offender, and was also found to be in possession of methamphetamine.

Bennett was also arrested and charged with a felony probation violation. His sister Patsy Ann Bennett was arrested and charged with hindering the apprehension of a fugitive and giving a false name to the detective.

Both Edward Bennett and Wiggins remain in custody at the Forsyth County jail.