KING

Convicted sex offender Gary Cherry.

SHELTON, Wash. - One of the state's most notorious sex offenders may be released into the community without any kind of supervision.

Gary Cherry's potential release would be historic.

Cherry - who's confessed to 15 rapes - already lives in Shelton. He under close supervision and wears a GPS locator at all times.

But as soon as next month, the superintendent of the Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island expects to recommend stopping all supervision of Cherry. If a judge grants it, Cherry would be the first sex offender to successfully graduate from the state's post-prison treatment program.

He has not made any public comments about what could be great news for his future

Following eight years of treatment Cherry's considered a low risk to re-offend.

"It can't be demonstrated this person is still at the high level of risk required to continue to restrict his freedoms under this law," said Dr. Henry Richards, superintendent of the Special Commitment Center.

Mason County's sheriff says the release would "fly in the face of public safety."

"If the people that want to release him are that comfortable that he's going to be OK in the community ... maybe he should be released in the community with those people," said Casey Salisbury.

Cherry's neighbor wants Cherry to remain under close supervision, but the state says the Supreme Court won't allow offenders to be treated at McNeil Island if those who improve can't be released.

No matter what judge decides, Gary cherry will still have to register in this county as a sex offender.

In 1990, Washington State became the first state to detain sex offenders in custody at McNeil Island after their prison sentences expired. Since then, 18 other states have come up with similar systems.