Thurston County officials arrest sex offender wanted for child molestation

A 74-year-old convicted sex offender has been arrested and taken into custody.

On May 3, 2022, Dexter Gene Fortner left a treatment facility and did not make himself available to his community corrections officer. Since he fell off the radar, a warrant was issued for his arrest the following day. 

Officials say he has a criminal history of failing to register as a sex offender, child molestation, and resisting arrest. 

Fortner is a Level 1 sex offender. This means that a person has a low risk of sexually re-offend in the community. Level 1 sex offenders aren't typically listed on the registry unless they are out of compliance (have not recently registered) or are homeless. 

He was located in Montesano thanks to a tip from a FOX 13 viewer. 

Fortner has been booked into the Nisqually Jail. He is being held without bail.