A convicted sex offender will be released as a transient in Placer County, according to a release from the district attorney’s office.Previous coverage in video player aboveThe Placer County District Attorney’s Office said it “has vehemently opposed” William Stephenson’s release during every court proceeding involving the sex offender. On Monday, after a three-hour hearing and argument, the judge granted Stephenson transient release in Placer County.He is classified as a Sexually Violent Predator and is enrolled in the state’s Sexually Violent Predator program under state law. The district attorney’s office said it plans to pursue legislation “prohibiting the transient release of individuals deemed to be sexually violent.” It also plans to take part in auditing the state’s Sexually Violent Predator program.Liberty Healthcare, the health provider that was originally in charge of finding housing for Stephenson upon release, plans to buy an RV for Stephenson to live in when he is let out, the district attorney’s office said.Stephenson has a history of sexual violence dating back to the 1980s. He was sentenced to 31 years in state prison for his crimes. After he was released in 2014, he was arrested in 2017 in Placer County after child pornography was found on his electronic devices.A Placer County judge in April 2022 ruled that the county will need to search for housing for Stephenson. His lawyers argued that he fears for his safety in Amador County.The district attorney’s office said on December 2022 that Stephenson’s lawyer requested the court to consider releasing him on transient status if Liberty Healthcare could not find stable housing.”The judge at the time even expressed concerns about transient release,” the district attorney’s office said.According to the district attorney, where Stephenson will be placed will be addressed at a hearing Sept. 1 at 8:30 a.m. in Department 4 of the Placer County Superior Court. This hearing is open to the public.Stephenson was originally set to be released in Sutter Creek, but that decision led to many outraged Amador County community members, including the county’s sheriff.
A convicted sex offender will be released as a transient in Placer County, according to a release from the district attorney’s office.
Previous coverage in video player above
The Placer County District Attorney’s Office said it “has vehemently opposed” William Stephenson’s release during every court proceeding involving the sex offender. On Monday, after a three-hour hearing and argument, the judge granted Stephenson transient release in Placer County.
He is classified as a Sexually Violent Predator and is enrolled in the state’s Sexually Violent Predator program under state law.
The district attorney’s office said it plans to pursue legislation “prohibiting the transient release of individuals deemed to be sexually violent.” It also plans to take part in auditing the state’s Sexually Violent Predator program.
Liberty Healthcare, the health provider that was originally in charge of finding housing for Stephenson upon release, plans to buy an RV for Stephenson to live in when he is let out, the district attorney’s office said.
Stephenson has a history of sexual violence dating back to the 1980s. He was sentenced to 31 years in state prison for his crimes. After he was released in 2014, he was arrested in 2017 in Placer County after child pornography was found on his electronic devices.
A Placer County judge in April 2022 ruled that the county will need to search for housing for Stephenson. His lawyers argued that he fears for his safety in Amador County.
The district attorney’s office said on December 2022 that Stephenson’s lawyer requested the court to consider releasing him on transient status if Liberty Healthcare could not find stable housing.
“The judge at the time even expressed concerns about transient release,” the district attorney’s office said.
According to the district attorney, where Stephenson will be placed will be addressed at a hearing Sept. 1 at 8:30 a.m. in Department 4 of the Placer County Superior Court. This hearing is open to the public.
Stephenson was originally set to be released in Sutter Creek, but that decision led to many outraged Amador County community members, including the county’s sheriff.
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