Sex offender moves to Scatchet Head


June 25, 2008 · Updated 4:11 PM 

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The Island County Sheriff's Department announced Tuesday that a Level 2 sex offender from Yakima has moved temporarily to Clinton.

He is living with relatives in the Scatchet Head area. Jan Smith, spokesperson for the sheriff's office, said Louie Watson Charles, 40, who also uses the last names Stone and Girouz, is staying with relatives at a Maple Point Drive home for an indefinite period of time. Because he is only visiting, he is not required by law to register with the sheriff's office as a sex offender. This circumstance, Smith said, limits the amount of community education the sheriff's office can do.

"Because he is here on short term basis there will not be a community meeting," she said.

But, Smith said a flyer with Charles' photo and information about his crimes will be sent to Scatchet Head residents and will be available at the Island County Sheriff's office in Coupeville and at its South Whidbey precinct location in Freeland.

Charles is described as American Indian. He is 5 feet, 11 inches tall, weighs 200 pounds, has brown eyes and long black hair.

He was convicted of rape in the second degree in 1992 and also has convictions for burglary, assault and robbery.

As a Level 2 offender, he is considered by Yakima authorities to pose a moderate risk to re-offend. He has been given permission by Department of Corrections personnel to visit South Whidbey until April 11, and to assess potential job opportunities, according to Smith.

Smith said that if Charles moved to Island County and registered as a sex offender, he would likely be ranked as a Level 3, or someone with a high likelihood to reoffend.

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