OLYMPIA – The Department of Corrections today (March 16, 2011) declined a Level 3 sex offender’s request to move to San Juan County where his wife lives. David F. Stewart, 58, will continue to live in rural Snohomish County.
Stewart completed a seven-year prison sentence for rape of child on Feb. 17 and has been supervised by the Everett field unit. He was sentenced to 24 months of community supervision, which began immediately after he completed his prison sentence.
A state law requires offenders to be released from prison to the county where they were convicted of their first felony unless they meet certain criteria. Stewart’s first conviction was in Snohomish County, but he requested to transfer to San Juan County where his wife owns a home in Friday Harbor. Community corrections officers investigated the home in Friday Harbor and considered other factors, including victim concerns and access to sex offender treatment. The community corrections officer denied the request.
"We carefully reviewed the offender’s request to move and determined that it’s in the best interest of public safety for him to remain in Snohomish County," said Anmarie Aylward, Assistant Secretary of the Community Corrections Division. "We consider multiple factors, including access to treatment, family support, employment, victim concerns, community concerns and more. Ultimately, we base all of our decision on what’s best for public safety."
The Department of Corrections supervises more than 18,000 offenders across the state, including more than 3,000 sex offenders. Offenders are required to report to their local DOC field office, and community corrections officers conduct field visits as well.
Google Search
