Other LanguagesMOUNT VERNON — Skagit County Superior Court Judge John M. Meyer has decided that repeat sex offender Michael Bargas remains a dangerous predator and must continue to be confined in the state’s Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island.
On Dec. 9 and 10, Meyer heard evidence and arguments regarding Bargas’ petition for release to a less restrictive alternative. In the interest of public safety, prosecutors from Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s Sexually Violent Predator Unit fought to prevent Bargas’ release into the community.
Today, the judge issued his opinion agreeing with the prosecutors. Assistant Attorney General Mary Robnett handled the case for the state.
Bargas, 57, was convicted of first-degree rape in 1987, sexually motivated assault in 1990, and first-degree child molestation in 1997. He was found to be a Sexually Violent Predator on Feb. 7, 2013 and has been committed to the secure facility on McNeil Island ever since.
“The Attorney General’s Office works hard to protect our communities from sexually violent predators,” Ferguson said. “I’m especially proud of the entire prosecution team for their dedication to this case over the past several years.”
In 1990, Washington became the first state in the nation to pass a law permitting the involuntary civil commitment of sex offenders after they have served their criminal sentence. The Attorney General’s SVP Unit was established shortly thereafter.
The AGO SVP unit is responsible for prosecuting sex predator cases for 38 of Washington’s 39 counties (King County being the exception). In Fiscal Year 2014, the unit tried 14 cases, won 9 civil commitments and secured one recommitment. Three trials ended in hung juries and one trial involved an offender who was found by the jury to not meet the criteria to be committed as a sexually violent predator.
As of October 2014, 294 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:
Alison Dempsey-Hall, Acting Communications Director