Residents in Enumclaw are voicing concern after a convicted Level 3 sex offender was released from Washington’s Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island and placed in their neighborhood, with many saying they were never notified before his arrival.
Robert Lough, 66, was released earlier this month after a King County judge ruled that he no longer met the legal definition of a sexually violent predator, despite court experts concluding he remains at risk of committing future violent acts.
According to court findings, both prosecutors and defense experts agreed that while Lough continues to pose a risk for future violence, he no longer qualifies for civil confinement under Washington law as a sexually violent predator. The ruling cleared the way for his release into the community.
Neighbors say they were caught off guard after learning Lough had moved into the area without advance notice, raising concerns about public safety and transparency in the placement process.
The release has reignited debate over how Washington handles the transition of high-risk offenders from secure treatment facilities back into communities.
