Wright County officials Friday released information regarding a pair of Level 3 Sex Offenders currently being housed at the Wright County Jail under the supervision of the Minnesota Department of Corrections.
Both Anthony Dewalt and Steven Leino have served their terms for convictions on sexual crimes. Both are being allowed to be checked out of the jail during daytime hours so they can search for housing and employment. They are each under GPS surveillance, overseen by the MN DOC.
DeWalt, 51, was convicted at trial and had his appeal affirmed, in part, in legal proceedings back in 2008 after he was arrested on charges of having an inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old female. DeWalt was in his mid-40s during the time of the relationship.
After serving his time, DeWalt was placed in the home in the 2900 block of County Road 37 today, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. Parole officers and Wright County authorities monitor the residence often, as the home often serves as transitional housing for sex offenders.
According to a story filed by the Monticello Times’ Tim Hennagir, DeWalt used a weapon and held the victim of his assault to against her will to gain compliance. Wright County records and state records from the Minnesota Court of Appeals show he met the girl the same day as the assault.
Dewalt is now out of the home in Monticello and in the county jail, but does have the opportunity to seek other housing.
Leino, 47, has a history of sexual contacts with female victims, age 13 to adult, according to the DOC. Adult victims were deemed, through court interview, as vulnerable due to developmental disability. Leino knew his offenders.
The county is asking for the public to respect DeWalt and Leino’s privacy after serving his time in prison after their conviction. Neither is currently wanted for arrest, but as a Level III offenders, are considered the highest risk to re-offend and must maintain registration with the National and Local Sex Offender Registry.
The Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) is legally required to notify the general public of the location of Level III sex offenders in their area. The law strictly forbids telling these people where they can and cannot live. Wright County Sheriff’s Office policy is to release information via press statements about residents at any county transitional homes or at the county jail. More meetings are held within communities if an offender graded Level III by the DOC moves into an urban neighborhood.