Attorney General's News Release

July 18, 2006

Newton County court keeps man found to be sexually violent predator in commitment at treatment center

Neosho, Mo. — A Newton County man previously found to be a sexually violent predator, or SVP, will remain in commitment at a state treatment center, a judge ruled last week. Joseph M. Johnson (DOB - 4/4/66) had filed a petition seeking release from the treatment center in Farmington, where he was committed after a trial in December 2003.

Circuit Judge Timothy W. Perigo, who oversees probate matters in Newton County, issued an order denying Johnson's motion on July 12. Attorney General Jay Nixon's office opposed the release.

“My office will seek the continued commitment of those who still pose a danger to society,” Nixon said. “While they are committed, these individuals can get the treatment they need.”

Nixon first sought to have Johnson committed as an SVP after he finished serving a four-year sentence for sexual assault out of Newton County in March 1999. Missouri's sexually violent predator law took effect in January 1999, and Johnson was one of the first sex offenders that Nixon sought to have committed. Johnson was initially committed as an SVP in 1999; a 2002 ruling by the Missouri Supreme Court on jury instructions, however, required Johnson and several other individuals to be retried.

Those committed by the court as sexually violent predators have the right to have their cases reviewed on an annual basis to determine if their mental abnormality has so changed that they are not likely to commit acts of sexual violence if released.

Currently, there are 79 sexually violent predators in commitment in Missouri. Sexually violent predator commitments are handled by the Public Safety Division in Nixon's office.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818