Scott B. Jones as he appeared in 2019.

It appears a former Pacific County resident categorized as a sexually violent predator will be heading off to a Less Restrictive Alternative (LRA) instead of continuing to be held at the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services’ Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island.

The label “sexually violent predator” is given to individuals who have been convicted of sexual violence and suffer from a mental abnormality or personality disorder. They are considered some of the most dangerous individuals, with a high likelihood of re-offending.

It will be another chance at an LRA for Scott B. Jones, 64, who was convicted in Pacific County in 1993 of an amended charge of attempted child molestation and the following year of child molestation. He was later determined to be a sexually violent predator via a civil commitment process in 2006.

Pull Quote

‘Release to a community-based [Less Restrictive Alternative] is now in Mr. Scott Jones’ best interest.’

Kirk Newring, psychologist

Jones was sent off to McNeil Island — a specialty facility near Tacoma that houses Washington’s most violent sexual predators. While at the facility, Jones reportedly opened up about his sexual desires for children and admitted he should be locked up for life to keep from “hurting another child.”

According to court records, Jones remained at McNeil Island until he successfully won an LRA on May 3, 2019, to be placed into secure specialty housing, which also involves rehabilitation therapies, including counseling. He was placed at a facility in Spokane on June 11, 2019.

Jones reportedly violated the conditions of the LRA on July 31, 2021, when he cut off his electronic GPS tracker and fled from the facility. He was captured hours later by the Spokane Police Department and handed over to the Washington State Department of Corrections.

He was later convicted of escaping from custody as a sexually violent predator. He remained at the Spokane County Jail until April 2022, when he returned to McNeil Island. He has since remained at the facility — seeking another chance at an LRA.

Walla Walla now

According to court records, Jones is now seeking to be placed at JPL Transitions in Walla Walla for another try at community-based rehabilitation service. The facility would involve intense counseling with a sex offender treatment provider.

The Washington State Attorney General’s Office represents the state in the case and conceded in a court filing on July 17 that it could not meet its trial burden.

“Given the opinion of its retained expert, the State concludes that it cannot prove beyond a reasonable doubt, pursuant to [state law], either of the following: (i) the proposed LRA is not in the best interest of Mr. Jones or (ii) the proposed LRA cannot include conditions that would adequately protect the community,” Assistant Attorney General Stephanie Olsen states in court records.

Evaluation

Jones was evaluated by psychologist Kirk Newring, who determined that he continued to have a mental abnormality or personality disorder that limits his ability to control his behavior. He also documented that Jones was likely to engage in “predatory acts of sexual violence” if he was not held within a secure facility.

According to Newring’s evaluation, Jones has an antisocial personality disorder, paraphilia disorder, pedophilic disorder, substance use disorder, and a depressive disorder.

“Furthermore, it is the opinion of the undersigned psychologist that conditions can be imposed, less restrictive than total confinement, that would adequately protect the community and are in the best interest of Mr. Jones,” Newring states in his report. “Release to a community-based LRA is now in Mr. Scott Jones’ best interest.”

In his justification for the findings, Newring noted that Jones self-reported absent sexual desires and a loss of lust toward children.

Costly lodging

If released to the LRA, the state would have to pay $5,000 a month for Jones to reside at JPL Transitions, and Jones has asked for an additional $650 stipend for monthly necessities. Patients at similar facilities currently are provided stipends between $448-$525.

Under state law, the state must foot the bill for individuals housed through an LRA. Counsels are working together to finish up the LRA, which will then be presented to Pacific County Superior Court Judge Donald J. Richter at a later date.

Court documents pertaining to his original convictions say Jones was asked to take care of a seven-year-old girl when her parents were on a trip. He molested her and pleaded guilty to the charges, according to reporting by KXLY.com in Spokane.

In another case, he molested his friend’s six-year-old daughter. In one of the cases, the little girl cried and he responded by calling her degrading names.

During his time at McNeil Island, he told counselors that he committed other crimes for which he was not charged.