Illinois releases 146 sex offenders, including 3 ‘sexually dangerous persons’ convicted in Winnebago, Ogle counties
Posted: Apr 29, 2020 / 01:03 PM CDT / Updated: Apr 29, 2020 / 03:43 PM CDT
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — The State of Illinois has released 146 sex offenders statewide, including 3 considered “sexually dangerous persons” convicted in Winnebago and Ogle counties.
The State of Illinois released a list of almost 4,000 inmates released from prisons, including 64 convicted of murder.
A list released by the state shows each inmate who had their sentence commuted by Gov. JB Prtizker or were released early by the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Dennis Secrist, 74, and Brett Singley, 40, who were convicted of sex crimes in Ogle County, and Daniel Anderson, 71, who was convicted in Winnebago County, were each classified by the state as a “Sexually Dangerous Person.”
An Illinois statute defines a “Sexually Dangerous Person” as “All persons suffering from a mental disorder, which mental disorder has existed for a period of not less than one year, immediately prior to the filing of the petition hereinafter provided for, coupled with criminal propensities to the commission of sex offenses, and who have demonstrated propensities toward acts of sexual assault or acts of sexual molestation of children, are hereby declared sexually dangerous persons.”
In addition, the list shows the release of Bernard Williams, 37, convicted of Felony Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse, J. Lindenmeier, 37, convicted of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault, and Brian Davies, 57, also convicted of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault. All three were sentenced in Winnebago County.
Police departments from all over the state of Illinois have sent a letter to Gov. JB Pritzker questioning why the governor has reduced the sentences of violent criminals and convicted murderers.
In order to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Illinois prisons, Pritzker has granted clemency to more than 1,000 prisoners, including Brian Harringon, who was convicted of killing a man in Rockford when he was 14, in 2007.
Many had their sentences commuted or were granted medical furlough. Winnebago County State’s Attorney Marilyn Hite-Ross said that some inmates are being let out so quickly that she doesn’t have proper time to inform victims, as is required by the Rights of Crime Victim’s Act and the Illinois Constitution.
“The lack of appropriate notice to my office regarding the early release of these individuals hinders my ability to notify victims and family members in a timely manner. As Winnebago County State’s Attorney, I will continue to oppose the early release and furlough of violent offenders back into the Winnebago County community,” Hite Ross said Monday.
Hite Ross says her office was basically blindsided by the list of criminals out on parole, so much so, they didn’t even have a chance to tell some of the victim’s family members until some felons were already home.
Right now the State’s Attorney’s office is trying to determine, case by case, whether theses violent offenders are being released due to COVID-19. Our law enforcement is joining with other agencies across the state demanding answers. They say they were told only “non-violent” offenders would be released early, not murderers.
State Rep. John Cabello (R-Machesney Park) has also criticized the governor’s decision to release criminals, saying “The governor did this quietly, and I felt that since he decided to victimize the victim’s families again, that the least I could try to do was make sure that they knew that that murderer was out.”
Winnebago County Sheriff Gary Caruana said there is no evidence that people are safer from the virus outside of a jail cell.
He says the Winnebago County Jail has reduced its population by about 300 in recent weeks, and thinks that inmates are more than capable of following social distancing guidelines.
“The notion that the jails and prisons are not safe, well, I beg to differ,” Caruana said last week. “We’re doing everything we can to keep it clean. We clean morning, noon, and night. We had a company here that did sterilization of everything.”
https://www.mystateline.com/news/local-news/illinois-releases-146-sex-offenders-including-3-sexually-dangerous-persons-convicted-in-winnebago-ogle-counties/