Officials in Illinois have released more 146 sex offenders — including three who were deemed “sexually dangerous persons.”
The Illinois Department of Corrections provided a list of the 4,000 inmates they released early or had their sentence commuted by Governor J.B. Pritzker.
In addition to the 146 sex offenders, 64 convicted murderers were granted early release.
State records indicate that one of the three “sexual predators” given early release, Brian Davies, 57, (pictured center) is in non-compliance for failing to maintain accurate registration records. Davies is a child sex offender who was convicted in Winnebago County of aggravated and predatory criminal sexual assault.
(The other two “sexual predators,” Bernard Williams and J. Lindenmeier, both 37, are pictured left and right, respectively.)
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Pritzker granted clemency to more than 1,000 inmates to curb the spread of COVID-19 in prison. Many of the recently-released inmates had their sentences commuted or were granted medical furlough.
According to WIFR, Winnebago County State’s Attorney Marilyn Hite-Ross said some of the inmates were released so fast that some of them were already home before their victims were notified — which is required by the Rights of Crime Victim’s Act and Illinois Constitution.
Hite-Ross also claimed her office was initially told that only non-violent criminals would be released due to coronavirus concerns.
“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,” she said Monday, according to WTVO.
“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.”
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[Featured image: Bernard Williams, Brian Davies, and J. Lindenmeier/Illinois State Police]
