Rochester, Illinois – A sex offender has now been criminally charged after being observed in a Rochester, Illinois Park, approximately 200 feet from the Illinois Sheriff’s Association kids’ zone.

On October 21, 2023, Rochester Police Chief Tim Sommer was on foot patrol at the Rochester Public Library District Fall Festival hosted in the Rochester Community Park. Chief Sommer stated that he was approached by a short, large-built white male with short brown hair, short facial hair, and wearing glasses. Chief Sommer reported that the man greeted him and mentioned that he was a vendor for the festival, stating his business name as “Third Dimension Printing” and that he sold household items made with a 3D printer. The man was later identified as Jarrod L. Bennett, age 36.

Chief Sommer said Jarrod pointed across Wildrose Lane and showed him the location of his vendor tent (vendor E region). “His vendor tent was located approximately 200 feet from the Illinois Sheriff’s Association kids’ zone and another child activity area,” Chief Sommer reported. “Several kids were in attendance at the festival.

Three days later, on October 24, 2023, Chief Sommer said that he received an email regarding Jarrod. The email reported that Jarrod is a registered child sex offender and was a vendor at the Rochester Public Library District Fall Festival. Chief Sommer stated that he confirmed Jarrod’s status as a sex offender by running his name through a law enforcement database, as well as locating a Child Sex Offender profile through the registry on the Illinois State Police website. Chief Sommer mentioned that the pictures matched the male with whom he had spoken in the park during the fall festival.

Chief Sommer also mentioned viewing a Facebook post on the Rochester Public Library District Fall Festival Facebook Page that mentioned “Jarrod” (Third Dimension Printing) as a vendor for the festival. The post, which Springfield Leaks has reviewed and confirmed to still be visible on their Facebook page, has a picture of Jarrod and says, “Meet our Vendors! Meet Jarrod and Britney! They are a locally owned family business offering 3D printing services and custom artwork! They regularly stock dragons, octopus, many various keychains, cookie cutters, skulls, special turtles, and lizards! B.B. Creative arts is also a part of their company. Britney offers many various artworks in many amazing mediums! They LOVE creating special orders, especially practical ones! Britney also occasionally takes on commission work at her discretion. They are also Santa friendly and can discreetly arrange delivery via Santa on Christmas! Check them out at Third Dimension Printing on Facebook or Tik Tok.”

On January 19, 2024, the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office filed criminal charges against Jarrod: two counts of being a Sex Offender in a Public Park. One count is a class 4 felony, and the other count is a class A misdemeanor.

A notice was mailed to Jarrod for him to appear in Sangamon County Court on February 8, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.