NOTE: With the knowledge you, our community, have several questions concerning the release of “Sexually Violent Predators (SVP)” being released here in the City of Spokane, we, the Spokane Police Department (SPD) and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO), met with representatives from the Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) and the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) on April 17, 2019.
The purpose of the meeting was to collaborate on how best to answer your questions and concerns as well as tentatively plan a public meeting with all of the agencies involved to provide you with answers directly. All of the agencies agree to attend a community meeting in the near future since two additional SVP’s were scheduled to be released to Spokane.
While working on scheduling the public informational meeting, which was tentatively set for June 3, 2019, DOC staff was very responsive and extremely helpfully. However, DSHS staff became hesitant about the meeting.
On Friday, May 31, 2019, DSHS staff informed DOC, they would NOT be attending the meeting. DSHS staff did NOT notify SPD or SCSO, leaving DOC staff in the unfortunate and awkward position of informing us of DSHS’s decision and the meeting was concealed.
Again, to be clear, DOC staff was ready and willing to stand with members of the Spokane Police Department and Spokane County Sheriff’s Office to answer your questions and listen to your concerns. We genuinely appreciate DOC’s help during this process and their strong desire to help us provide our community with accurate answers and information. It is unfortunate DSHS decided, for reasons not known to us since they never contacted us to explain, conceal at the last minute denying our community the time to be heard.
Please see the attached links to a “Frequently Asked Questions” document and a PowerPoint document provided by DOC staff to help address your concerns and provide answers to previous questions.
Sex Offender Bulletin
Notification of Release - Male with Sexually Violent Predator Status
The Spokane Police Department and Spokane County Sheriff’s Office are releasing the following information pursuant to RCW 4.24.550, which authorizes law enforcement agencies to inform the public of a sex offender release when, in the discretion of the agency, the release of information will enhance public safety and protection.
The individuals who appear on such notification have been convicted of a sex offense that requires registration with the Sheriff’s Office in the county of their residence. Further, their previous criminal history places them in a classification level which reflects the potential to reoffend. This individual has served the sentence imposed on them by the courts. HE/SHE IS NOT WANTED AT THIS TIME. THIS NOTIFICATION IS NOT INTENDED TO INCREASE FEAR; RATHER IT IS OUR BELIEF THAT AN INFORMED PUBLIC IS A SAFER PUBLIC.
Law Enforcement has no legal authority to direct where a sex offender may or may not live. Unless court ordered restrictions exist, this offender is constitutionally free to live wherever he/she chooses.
Jones, Scott B.
Age: 59, Race: Am Indian, Sex: Male, Hair: Brown, Eyes: Hazel
Convictions:
Feb 4, 1994: Child Molestation 1st Degree
Aug 6, 1993: Attempted Child Molestation 2
Residence 1200 block N. Lincoln St.
Spokane, WA 99201
Jones has been released on a Less Restriction Alternative from McNeill Island. He still has his Sexually Violent Offender status. His sex crime victims were 6 and 7 years old females. Jones will be under the Department of Corrections Supervision. Jones has registered with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.
PowerPoint: Sexually Violent Predator Civil Commitment, Release and Supervision in Washington State https://www.spokanecounty.org/DocumentCenter/View/26434/civil_commitment_community_version_short
Frequently Asked Questions Notification Presentation Sexually Violent Predator
https://www.spokanecounty.org/DocumentCenter/View/26433/WA-DOC-FAQ-Doc-RE-SVP_LRA-Release-May-29-2019