News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 11, 2003
Contact:  Kirsten Kendrick, Governor’s Communications Office, 360-902-4136;
Alt Contact:  Fred Olson, Office of the Attorney General, 360-664-9081

Gov. Gary Locke, Attorney General Christine Gregoire Issue Statements on Court-ordered Release of California Sex Predator to Washington State

Gov. Gary Locke and Attorney General Christine Gregoire today issued statements on a California judge’s decision to relocate convicted sex predator Brian DeVries to Washington state.

Locke said:

“I am outraged at the judge’s decision.

“Mr. DeVries has been convicted of abusing many children, and I believe he would be a serious risk to the health and safety of Washington children. We are doing everything in our power to make sure he doesn’t set foot in our state.

“I called California Gov. Gray Davis today to express my concerns. He also vigorously opposes the release of Mr. DeVries and assured me he is doing everything he can to fight it, including calling for an appeal of the judge’s decision.

“We will continue to work with the state of California to keep this violent criminal out of our state.”

Gregoire said:

“California is essentially setting this convicted child molester free. We don't think California or Washington has any authority over him once he arrives here.

“The California court is imposing conditions on his release, but we think they are literally unenforceable here in Washington. This makes a mockery of sexually violent predator laws that were intended to protect communities.

“We will continue to resist the release of Mr. Devries to Washington state. We intend to assist the California Attorney General's Office in its efforts to convince the court that the conditions of release are unenforceable here, and block his release.”


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