Attorney General's News Release

August 17, 2007

Adair County judge commits Kirksville man as sexually violent predator

Kirksville, Mo. — A judge in Adair County today found Richard Wheeler of Kirksville to be a sexually violent predator (SVP) and committed him to the state treatment center in Farmington. Circuit Judge Kristie J. Swaim signed the judgment and commitment order.

The office of Attorney General Jay Nixon sought to have Wheeler (DOB - 10/9/47) committed as an SVP due to his 1997 conviction for statutory sodomy 1st degree involving a four-year old boy, for which he received 10 years in prison. He also had a 1996 conviction for misdemeanor sexual misconduct, and a 1981 conviction for sexual abuse 1st degree in which he received two years probation.

A petition for civil commitment was filed August 11, 2006, and Wheeler was committed as an SVP today after a bench trial.

“My office will continue to aggressively pursue the indefinite commitment of those who still pose a threat to public safety,” Nixon said. “While these offenders are committed, they can get the treatment they so desperately 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 85 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 Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818