Property near tribal lands unsuitable for sexually violent predator, DSH says

(FOX40.COM) — The placement of sexually violent predator William Stephenson in Placer County is up in the air once again as the tribal lands location proposed in March is no longer an option, according to the Placer County District Attorney’s Office.

During a check-in at the Placer County Superior Court on March 25, the Department of State Hospitals stated they were looking at a property close to tribal lands and would be in communication with the tribal community.

In a social media post on Monday , the DA’s Office shared that the Department of State Hospitals said the “address that had previously identified as a placement for Stephenson was no longer viable.”

DHS did not provide a reason for no longer seeing the property as a viable location for Stephenson and said they have no other potential properties in mind for Stephenson, according to the DA’s office.

On March 27, the United Auburn Indian Community expressed their displeasure and concern with the intended placement of Stephenson near tribal lands.

“The placement of a sexually violent predator near tribal lands is irresponsible and could be a direct threat to the safety and well-being of our tribal members,” Gene Whitehouse, Chairman of the United Auburn Indian Community wrote in a news release. “We call for immediate action and ask authorities to reconsider their decision to place SVP Stephenson near our Indian lands.”

Two-days after the UAIC’s statement opposing the placement, Placer County Sheriff Wayne Woo voiced his equal displeasure of the proposed placement and his backing of the UAIC’s position.

“Our government firmly recognizes the rights of the Indigenous people of Placer County,” Woo wrote in his statement. “I believe this placement location ignores those rights and disregards our tribe’s legitimate concerns.”

With the DSH expressing they have run out of options for Stephenson’s placement, his lawyer will seek a motion to have him released as a transient, according to the DA’s office.

At 11 a.m. on June 3, the Placer County Superior Court will be holding another status conference in Department 32.

The conversation around Stephenson’s placement began in January 2022 when a Placer County judge approved his conditional release. At that time the Department of State Hospitals was tasked with finding him housing.

In July 2023, a Placer County judge announced the release of Stephenson into Placer County as a transient. The DSH would be responsible for finding a property, such as a trailer.

Stephenson has a history of sex crimes dating back to the 90s. Although he was set to be released months ago, state officials have not been able to find suitable housing and the Placer County community has been fighting his release there.

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