On May 16th, 2025, a registered sex offender was arrested in Atoka for allegedly violating a sex offender loitering zone, an area from which he had previously been warned to stay away.
According to a police report, at approximately 12:20 PM, Lt. Jimmy Taylor of the Atoka Police Department located Jim Ray Bayles at a residence within the city limits while attempting to find another individual.
Lt. Taylor advised Bayles that he was not permitted to be at that location, as it is situated within a 500-foot sex offender loitering zone. This zone was confirmed to be within 500 feet of Posey Park, near the intersection of B and Kentucky.
A check confirmed that Bayles had outstanding warrants through the Atoka County District Court.
The report noted that Lt. Taylor, who also serves as a Reserve Deputy with the Atoka County Sheriff’s Office and assists with the sex and violent offender registry for Atoka County, had previously contacted Bayles on two separate occasions regarding his presence at the residence.
On one prior occasion, Bayles was located at the address by Probation and Parole Officer Mike Jones and was subsequently advised by Lt. Taylor that he was not allowed to be there due to the loitering zone. On another occasion, Lt. Taylor again located Bayles at the address and reiterated the warning.
Bayles, whose last registered address was on Skyview Road in Atoka County, was arrested and transported to the Atoka County Jail for booking on the warrants and for violating the sex offender loitering zone.
