Molester, too short for prison, called high risk

updated 2:55 p.m. ET July 13, 2006

LINCOLN, Neb. - A sex offender who was sentenced to probation instead of prison partly because of his short stature was classified as a high risk to reoffend.

Richard W. Thompson was rated Wednesday after assessment in 14 areas by the Nebraska State Patrol, said Dr. Shannon Black, clinical director of the patrol’s Sex Offender Registry.

“It doesn’t mean a person will or won’t reoffend,” she said. “We have no way of identifying who will or won’t reoffend.”

Thompson, 50, was sentenced in May by Judge Kristine Cecava for having sexual contact with a girl last summer. Cecava said his crimes deserved a long sentence, but she also expressed concern that he would be especially vulnerable to prison dangers because he is 5-foot-1.

The probation, while also based on other factors, drew national criticism.

As a Class III offender, Thompson’s name, address and photo are posted on a public registry, and he must notify officials of changes of address or other information.

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