Sex offender from Indiana arrested in West Frankfort

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office has announced the arrest of Devere L. Abair Jr., 47, of West Frankfort on failure to register as a sex offender, theft over $300 and possession of child pornography.

Deputies working with the U.S. Marshal Service and the U.S. Secret Service Southern Illinois Cyber-crime Unit arrested Abair on Friday afternoon. Information was received by the U.S. Marshal Service that Abair, a non-compliant sex offender from the state of Indiana, was residing in West Frankfort.

Abair apparently found out that authorities were looking for him, went to his workplace where he allegedly removed proprietary computer files from the business, and disassembled a computer hard disk drive that belonged to him.

Abair, a convicted child sex offender, was found at his home. A search warrant was obtained for the home and any computers or other digital media found inside. During a preliminary forensic examination, child pornography was located.

Abair is currently being held under $150,000 bond. Further charges are possible as the investigation continues.