Possible Housing Found for Violent Sex Offender

MARTINEZ, Calif. —  State officials say they may have found a place to live for a sexually violent predator set to be released in Contra Costa County.

A property manager in the county has agreed to provide housing for Cary Verse, a repeat sex offender who could become the second man released in the state after completing a controversial court-ordered program, officials said.

Deputy Atty. Gen. Susan King, who represents the state Department of Mental Health, said Friday that the landlord of the undisclosed site has yet to agree. Another property owner had refused to rent to Verse.

“Hopefully, it will turn into a realistic place for Mr. Verse to live,” King said of the new location. “We’re not ruling out any place in Contra Costa County.”

Verse’s most recent sex offense was a 1992 assault on a homeless man at a Richmond shelter.

He is currently in Atascadero State Hospital, and will be subject to electronic monitoring upon his release. He has also been voluntarily chemically castrated.

Earlier this year the planned release of Brian DeVries, the first sexually violent predator to complete the program, sparked protests. DeVries was later ordered to live in a trailer on the grounds of a state prison near Soledad.

City officials in Martinez, the seat of Contra Costa County, have asked to be told where Verse might live.

State officials have refused to disclose the possible site.

“There’s tremendous worry still out there,” said Martinez City Councilman Mark Ross. “We have to assume that Martinez is still in consideration.”