Other LanguagesKELSO — The Attorney General’s Sexually Violent Predator Unit today obtained a convicted sex offender’s agreement to be civilly committed as a sexually violent predator.
Isaac Casch, 28, has committed three sexually violent offenses. In the interest of public safety, SVP unit prosecutors have been seeking his involuntary civil commitment to the state’s Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island. Casch’s agreement to be civilly committed avoids a lengthy trial that was to begin on July 11, 2017.
Washington’s Sexually Violent Predator law allows the Attorney General’s Office to petition for the civil commitment of violent sex offenders who, because of a mental abnormality and/or personality disorder, are proven likely to engage in predatory acts of sexual violence if released.
The trial attorneys on this case are Assistant Attorneys General Kate Hemann and Mary Robnett.
Casch was originally scheduled for community release in Cowlitz County in July 2016, before the Attorney General’s Office filed for his civil commitment. Since then, he has been detained at the Special Commitment Center awaiting trial.
In 1990, Washington became the first state in the nation to pass a law permitting the involuntary civil commitment of sex offenders after they serve their criminal sentences. The Attorney General’s SVP Unit was established shortly thereafter.
The SVP unit is responsible for prosecuting sex predator cases for 38 of Washington’s 39 counties (King County being the exception). In fiscal year 2016, the unit tried nine cases and won seven civil commitments. Two trials ended in acquittals, meaning the offenders were found to not meet the criteria to be committed as a sexually violent predator.
As of October 2016, 282 sexually violent predators are in the state’s Special Commitment Program.
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The Office of the Attorney General is the chief legal office for the state of Washington with attorneys and staff in 27 divisions across the state providing legal services to roughly 200 state agencies, boards and commissions. Attorney General Bob Ferguson is working hard to protect consumers and seniors against fraud, keep our communities safe, protect our environment and stand up for our veterans. Visit www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.
Contacts:
Peter Lavallee, Communications Director, (360) 586-0725; PeterL@atg.wa.gov