Attorney General's News Release

November 19, 2007

St. Louis County judge commits St. Louis man as sexually violent predator

Clayton, Mo. — A judge in St. Louis County today found Steven Richardson to be a sexually violent predator (SVP) and committed him to the state treatment center in Farmington. Circuit Judge Bernhardt C. Drumm, Jr. signed the judgment and commitment order.

The office of Attorney General Jay Nixon sought to have Richardson (DOB - 12/5/59) committed as an SVP due to his 1983 conviction in St. Louis County for sodomy involving an 20-year old female, for which he received 30 years in prison. Richardson also pled guilty to a charge of 1st degree burglary in the attack, and also two convictions in 1981 out of St. Louis County for burglary and felonious restraint.

A petition for civil commitment was filed on January 25, 2006, and Richardson was committed as an SVP after his stipulation to the judge.

“My office continues to aggressively pursue the indefinite commitment of those who still pose a threat to the public safety of Missourians,&rdquo Nixon said. “While these offenders are civilly committed, they can receive the treatment they need.”

Those committed by the court as sexually violent predators have the right to have their cases reviewed to determine if their mental abnormality has so changed that they are not likely to commit acts of sexual violence if released.

Currently, there are 94 sexually violent predators held in civil commitment in Missouri. Sexually violent predator commitments are handled by the Public Safety Division in Nixon’s office. Missouri’s sexually violent predator law took effect in January 1999.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to the Press Secretary.

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