Attorney General's News Release

June 24, 2008

Cole County jury commits Jefferson City man as sexually violent predator

Jefferson City, Mo. - A jury in Cole County on Thursday (June 19) found Chance Tyree to be a sexually violent predator (SVP) and committed him to the state treatment center in Farmington. Circuit Judge Jon Beetem signed the judgment and commitment order.

The office of Attorney General Jay Nixon sought to have Tyree (DOB - 12/23/63) committed as an SVP due to his 1993 conviction in Cole County for sodomy involving a 10-year old girl, for which he received 12 years in prison. Tyree also pled guilty to indecent exposure involving a five-year old girl in Cole County in 1991, for which he was placed on two years of probation. A petition for civil commitment was filed March 18, 2005.

"My office continues to aggressively pursue the indefinite commitment of those who still pose a threat to the public safety of Missourians," 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 101 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