Attorney General's News Release

September 26, 2008

Wright County jury commits Squires man as sexually violent predator

Hartville, Mo. - A jury in Wright County on Wednesday (Sept. 24) found Charles Herrmann to be a sexually violent predator (SVP) and committed him to the state treatment center in Farmington. Circuit Judge Lynette B. Veenstra signed the judgment and commitment order.

The office of Attorney General Jay Nixon sought to have Herrmann (DOB - 10/06/33) committed as an SVP due to his 1998 conviction in Wright County for child molestation1st degree involving a nine-year old boy, for which he received seven years in prison. Herrmann also pled guilty in 1997 to child molestation 1st degree in Douglas County involving a nine-year old boy, and received five years probation. A petition for civil commitment was filed by Nixon's office on Dec. 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 108 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.

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