Sex offender missing

The Stevens County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help in locating a level 1 sex offender who has been missing since Jan. 18.

Jack W. Beardslee, 52, was last seen driving south on U.S. Highway 395, from the Arden area about six miles south of Colville. He bought gasoline in Chewelah and hasn’t been heard from since, according to sheriff’s Detective Andy Harbolt.

Beardslee was driving a blue 1990 Ford pickup with Washington license B87794B. He is 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighs 180 pounds and has brown hair and eyes.

Harbolt said Beardslee may be in possession of a .22-caliber rifle. But Beardslee is being sought because of concern about his safety, not because of anything he may have done.

Level 1 sex offenders are the kind considered least likely to commit new sex offenses, but they are required to report any change of address. Beardslee has not done so, Harbolt said.

He asked anyone with information about Beardslee to call the Sheriff’s Office at (800) 572-0947 or (509) 684-2555.