A Level 3 predatory offender who was originally scheduled to be released Thursday, Dec. 20, to live in a rural Aitkin residence is not going to be released at this time, a spokesman for the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) said.
John Schadl of the DOC said the department is working on an appropriate placement plan for Jerry Lee Ferrier. He was scheduled to be released to an address on the 38900 block of Highway 47 in rural Aitkin.
According to state court records, Ferrier was convicted of first-degree criminal sexual conduct in 1993 in Wadena County and of second-degree criminal sexual conduct in 2000 in Crow Wing County.
The Minnesota Department of Corrections reported earlier that Ferrier has a history of sexual contact with female victims ages 9-11. Ferrier was known to his victims, the Aitkin County Sheriff’s Department reported earlier.
Ferrier was described as a white male, 5 feet 9 inches tall, 184 pounds with brown hair and eyes.
“As of this time he won’t be going to the Aitkin community,” Schadl said.
The spokesman said that if he were to be released in the Aitkin community another community notification meeting, similar to the one conducted Monday in the Aitkin County Courthouse, would be held. Schadl said he couldn’t comment on why the original plans were not followed.
Aitkin County Sheriff Scott Turner confirmed that Ferrier would not be released in the Aitkin area at this time and that another community notification meeting would be conducted if he were released in the area at a later date.
He declined to respond to reports of any possible incidents in the area that might have resulted in the change of plans. He said he would defer to the Department of Corrections since it was that agency’s discharge plan.
MIKE O’ROURKE, associate editor, may be reached at 855-5860 or mike.orourke@brainerddispatch.com. He may be followed at www.twitter.com/MikeORourkenews.
Comments (2)
Add commentSheriff Turner is declining
Sheriff Turner is declining to disclose the events that are keeping our community safe for our families.
Why did Sheriff Turner and
Why did Sheriff Turner and the DOC try to cover up the fact that the level 3 sex offender, Jerry Ferrier, violated his parole in April 2012 and was returned to prison? Why did they try to claim only 3 1/2 % reoffend, and not disclose parole violations in April 2012 ? Why is Sheriff Turner accusing the outspoken ones of trying to incite a riot, the same people with children the same age as the offenders preference? What is Sheriff Turner hiding now that he can not let the people know about the incident that prevents the offender from entering this community? The incident occurred in Aitkin County, Sheriff Turner's jurisdiction, but he passes it on as it is the DOC's issue when it really belongs to Sheriff Turner. COVER UP, The people have spoken.