Friday, November 17, 2006
OFFCIALS DETAIL CONCERNS OF SEX OFFENDER RELEASE
WXCE Radio
Approximately 30 people attended a sex offender community notification meeting on Thursday night at the Amery High School, where local law enforcement officials and representatives of the Department of Corrections spent about an hour addressing resident’s concern on the upcoming release of a 29-year-old convicted sex offender in the Amery area. Michael Wilson, Jr. will be released on November 28th after serving his sentence in a state correctional facility for two felony convictions of first and second-degree sexual assault of a child – one of whom was twelve-years-old – in Polk and St. Croix counties. Wilson will be living south of Amery in the Town of Black Brook at 410 State Highway 46, and he will be supervised. Community notification meeting was called by local officials because Wilson is considered the equivalent of a Level 3 sex offender. Polk County Sheriff Tim Moore headed the meeting, and concentrated not just on Wilson’s release, but ways in general that parents can protect their children from becoming victims of a sexual predator. Officials outlined Wilson’s “modus operandi,” saying he would meet young girls, develop a sexual relationship with them, and then keep them from bringing it up with adults through intimidation and threats of violence. According to Mike O’Keefe of the Probation and Parole office in Polk County, Wilson will have a set of 42 different rules he must adhere to once released, and he WILL be under constant electronic monitoring. Wilson will not be allowed to be in attendance at locations where children may be, such as libraries, schools, even parks. He is also banned form using alcohol and is not allowed to use the internet. A common concern in areas where a sex offender is released is so-called vigilantism. Polk County District Attorney Karen Olson reminded those in attendance that Wilson will be allowed to have a job, and quote, “live his life,” and that any attempts to harass or hassle Wilson will be dealt with severely. The remainder of the meeting involved questions from residents. We will have more info on the Wilson release as his move back to the area approaches.
