Second sex offender heading for Alban

By Chris Mueller, Stevens Point Journal

STEVENS POINT - A Chippewa County judge has ordered a second sexually violent offender be released to a home in the rural Portage County town of Alban.

Jason Staves, 42, is expected to be released to the same home near the Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative buildingalready occupied by 42-year-old Peter Yogerst, another sexually violent offender who was released last month.

The decision to release Yogerst in that location was made by a Washington County judge and led to criticism from residents puzzled because of a local judge's decision a few months earlier. Portage County Judge Thomas Flugaur decided in late October not to allow Charles Anderson, a 74-year-old sexually violent offender, to be released to the home.

The Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative building is frequently used to host public events in the community.

State Rep. Katrina Shankland and Portage County District Attorney Louis Molepske asked Chippewa County Judge Steven Cray at a hearing Friday to deny Staves’ placement in the town of Alban. The judge approved Staves’ placement, noting a new law severely restricting housing options in Chippewa County, according to a news release.

Staves will be required to have a chaperone with him when any event is held at the Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative, the release says. Cray ordered a geofence be installed to ensure Staves doesn’t set foot on the property. The judge also required state officials to continue looking for housing for Staves in Chippewa County.

Portage County Sheriff Mike Lukas said a public meeting will be held about the release, but a specific date and time hasn’t been decided.