Sex offender back in Vermont

A high-risk convicted sex offender, who was recently sent to California, is back in Vermont after his placement failed to materialize.
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20130804/NEWS02/308040025/Sex-offender-back-Vermont

Sex offender back in Vermont Aug. 4, 2013 9:38 PM | Timothy J. Szad / AP Written by Mike Donoghue Burlington Free Press Staff Writer A high-risk convicted sex offender, who was recently sent to California, is back in Vermont after his placement failed to materialize, the Chittenden Unit for Special Investigations reported Sunday night. Timothy Szad, 53, was released from a prison in Springfield last month and had trouble finding a place to live in Vermont, but eventually was approved to live in California, officials said. The man initially had been slated to live with a relative in Springfield, but that plan was dropped after public outcry in the community. Colchester Detective Ed Fournier, who is assigned to CUSI, said late Sunday evening investigators had determined Szad’s out of state placement had not come to fruition. “He returned to Vermont late Sunday and is working voluntarily with law enforcement, the Agency of Human Services, and clergy to engage services and treatment and find suitable and safe housing.” Fournier said in a news release. Fournier said no placement has been found as of Sunday night. There was no indication if Szad was in Chittenden County. Szad is white male, 6 feet, 5 inches, 255 pounds with gray hair, hazel eyes and fair complexion. Fournier said he expects more information will be made public today. The Vermont Corrections Department alerted the public July 15 that Szad was being released July 26 after serving his maximum sentence. Szad was released without any supervision by the Vermont Corrections Department. Szad was required to register with the Vermont Public Safety Department and will be on the internet sex offender registry. Szad was sentenced in January 2001 to 7-to-20 years for aggravated sexual assault on a 13-year-old disabled boy in Rockingham. A kidnapping charge was dropped as part of the plea agreement, according to then-State’s Attorney Dan Davis. Szad was designated high risk based upon scoring in the high range on a sex offender risk assessment tool, officials said. “This has been a difficult situation, and I have shared the concerns expressed by many Vermonters about ensuring a placement for Mr. Szad that guarantees Vermonters’ safety and keeps Mr. Szad accountable,” Gov. Peter Shumlin said in announcing his relocation to California. “I appreciate that the Department of Corrections and others were able to work together to find him an appropriate placement in California” Shumlin said. But that plan lasted about a week. Szad was compliant with the sex offender treatment program while in prison, officials said. They said his likely victims, if he were to re-offend, would be male strangers between the ages of 12 and 13, in particular those with blond hair and blue eyes