PLACER COUNTY, Calif. — ABC10 has reported about William Stephenson for months. The Department of State Hospitals (DSH) is trying to place him in Placer County after serving time for sexually violent crimes. Another hearing with another update was held Monday.
In a court check-in hearing at the Placer County Superior Court, residents received an update about sexually violent predator (SVP), William Stephenson. He has a long history of sex crimes dating back to the 90s.
In July 2023, a judge deemed him fit for re-release as a transient, but officials with Placer County, DSH and Liberty Healthcare, have looked for a place to house him ever since.
"I heard that they are looking at placing the SVP in adjoining tribal lands here in Placer County," said Anabel Velasquez, a concerned citizen. "There's a lot of issues when it comes to tribes already being sexually victimized, and this is going to put them in even more of a position to be more easily victimized as well."
A spokesperson with the Placer County District Attorney's Office confirms the state is currently looking at a property very close to tribal lands, but no county or tribe official could confirm exactly where.
Monday's court check-in lasted less than 30 minutes, and the district attorney's office said the state did not say if they're looking to host another housing meeting. Just last month, Placer County DA Morgan Gire told ABC10 Stephenson should not be released into Placer County.
"I have very little confidence and so does this office, we have opposed his release," said Gire in February 2024.
For now, the state is paying $7,000 a month to hold this possible housing location. It's not known what happens next. When asked if DSH could provide some details into what happened during Monday's hearing, a spokesperson responded with the following:
"Federal and state patient privacy laws prevent the Department of State Hospitals from providing any information about current or former patients."
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