Attorney General's News Release

October 12, 2007

Boone County jury commits Columbia man as sexually violent predator

Columbia, Mo. — A jury in Boone County on Thursday (Oct. 11) found William Bradford of Columbia to be a sexually violent predator (SVP) and committed him to the state treatment center in Farmington. Circuit Judge Deborah Daniels signed the judgment and commitment order.

The office of Attorney General Jay Nixon sought to have Bradford (DOB - 8/5/70) committed as an SVP due to his 1995 conviction in Boone County for three counts of sodomy involving a three-year old girl, for which he received eight years in prison. A petition for civil commitment was filed July 29, 2003.

“My office continues to aggressively pursue the indefinite commitment of those who still pose a threat to the public safety of Missourians,” Nixon said. “While these offenders are civilly committed, they can receive the treatment they so desperately need.”

Those committed by the court as sexually violent predators have the right to have their cases reviewed 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 90 sexually violent predators held in civil commitment in Missouri. Sexually violent predator commitments are handled by the Public Safety Division in Nixon's office. Missouri's sexually violent predator law took effect in January 1999.

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