EVERETT – A 60-year-old man who the state once deemed a sexually violent predator after two rape convictions in the late 1970s was ordered set freeWednesday.
Herman “Butch” Paschke has been locked up since 1994 in the state’s Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island. The state determined that Paschke was a sexually violent predator and he was civilly committed.
While locked up Paschke underwent sex offender treatment. He is the first sexually violent predator who completed the entire program, assistant Attorney General Malcolm Ross said.
Paschke hired two mental health experts who determined that he no longer met the criteria for the state to hold him as a predator. The state also hired an expert who arrived at a similar conclusion, Ross said.
That evaluation concluded that while Paschke still suffers from a mental disorder, the state lacked evidence to prove that Paschke is a danger, Ross said.
A Snohomish County judge signed an order for his release Wednesday.
Paschke is expected to reside with his wife in the 12100 block of Andrew Sater Road.
As part of the program Paschke was allowed to move home with his wife in 2005. He called authorities two days later after his wife declined to continue to be his community monitor, a condition of his release.
“She had such a bad reaction from all the media attention. She was so upset she didn’t want to be his community monitor,” Ross said.
Snohomish County sheriff’s deputies held a community meeting about Paschke last week. He must register as a sex offender.
Reporter Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463 or hefley@heraldnet.com.
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