Sex offender arrested for residing within 154 feet from elementary school, failing to register

A convicted sex offender was arrested after authorities learned he was living within a stone's throw of an elementary school.

On Sept. 6, Cherokee County Sheriff's Sgt. Ryan Robison was contacted by a parole officer who was inquiring about a sex offender, Bryan Neal Fishburn, who was arrested for a warrant in August. The parole officer asked if Fishburn registered with the sheriff's office and Robison advised he hadn't.

The officer said Fishburn claimed he has lived in Tahlequah since 2023 and he was walking in the downtown area. He said he instructed Fishburn to report to the probation and parole office.

Robison contacted the Tahlequah Police Department and was told Fishburn was also not registered.

Robison was patrolling the area of downtown Tahlequah when the parole officer advised him that Fishburn reported to their office. Robison made contact with Fishburn and interviewed him.

According to Robison's report, Fishburn said he was residing at a family member's house on East Jo Street, 154 yards from Greenwood Elementary School. He also said he hasn't registered with law enforcement in four years.

In October 2012, Fishburn was convicted of lewd or indecent proposals/acts to a minor and is categorized as a level 3 aggravated offender.

Fishburn was arrested and booked for failing register as a sex offender and violating the sex offender registry by living within 2,000 feet from a school.