Registered sex offender arrested after guns found during search

Police find large cache of weapons, including sawed-off shotguns, at suspect's home

Apr. 1, 2026 at 8:38pm

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A 43-year-old registered sex offender was arrested in Butler County, Ohio after police executed search warrants at his home and a second location, uncovering a large quantity of weapons including sawed-off shotguns, pistols, and numerous rifles. The suspect, Adam Kendel, is a Tier II registered sex offender for a 2009 conviction of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and was also the subject of an active case in Kentucky involving the same juvenile victim.

Why it matters

The discovery of the weapons cache at the home of a registered sex offender raises serious concerns about public safety, especially given the suspect's history of sex crimes involving a minor. The case highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in monitoring high-risk offenders and the need for stricter regulations around firearm possession by convicted felons.

The details

Police started investigating Adam Kendel after learning he was allegedly involved in sex crimes with a minor. Kendel is a Tier II registered sex offender for a 2009 conviction of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor in Butler County, for which he received a four-year prison sentence. Investigators also learned that the Ashland Police Department in Kentucky had an active case involving Kendel and the same juvenile victim. Due to the potential high risk, the Butler County Regional SWAT Team and Bomb Squad, along with Fairfield Township officers, executed search warrants at Kendel's home and a second location, where they found a large cache of weapons including sawed-off shotguns, pistols, and numerous rifles.

  • Kendel was convicted of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor in 2009.
  • Police started investigating Kendel in 2026 after learning of his alleged involvement in sex crimes with a minor.

The players

Adam Kendel

A 43-year-old registered Tier II sex offender who was arrested after police found a large cache of weapons, including sawed-off shotguns, at his home and a second location.

Fairfield Township Police

The department that started investigating Kendel and executed the search warrants that led to the discovery of the weapons.

Ashland Police Department

The Kentucky police department that had an active case involving Kendel and the same juvenile victim.

Butler County Regional SWAT Team and Bomb Squad

The law enforcement units that assisted Fairfield Township police in executing the high-risk search warrants.

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What they’re saying

“Due to the potential high risk, the Butler County Regional SWAT Team and Bomb Squad, along with Fairfield Township officers, served a search warrant at his house in the 1900 block of Fairfax Ave.”

— Fairfield Township Police

What’s next

Authorities will present additional charges to the Butler County Prosecutor's Office for their review.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in monitoring high-risk sex offenders and the need for stricter regulations around firearm possession by convicted felons. The discovery of the large weapons cache at the home of a registered sex offender raises serious concerns about public safety and the potential for violence.