SILVER LAKE, Wash. - A convicted sex offender who raped four victims was released Wednesday from the McNeil Island Special Commitment Center.

After 12 years of treatment, 60-year-old Herman Paschke is the first so-called graduate of the state's sex offender treatment program.

Paschke was convicted of four rapes of victims ranging in age from 12 to 77 years old. The crimes happened more than a decade ago in the Spokane area.

The state says he is improved, but not cured.

"He has, in the opinion of the experts, improved primarily through treatment to the point where he is not more than 50 percent likely to re-offend if released," said Malcolm Ross, assistant attorney general. "Definitely not cured. The experts don't call it cured. The experts say treatment is not designed to cure."

As of Wednesday he was a free man, with no conditions to his release.

He is expected to move into a neighborhood along Andrew Sater Road, in the area of Silver Lake, a community in Snohomish County.

Neighbors there are not pleased.

"Its stupid," said Stanley Mohr. "After all, sex offenders are never cured."

The state says Paschke has completed his sex offender treatment, and because of his age (he is 60 years old) and a medical condition, he no longer qualifies for the Special Commitment program for sex offenders at McNeil Island.

Two years ago, Paschke was released to live in Silver Lake with his wife, who acted as his community sponsor.

But she decided not to be his sponsor, and two days later, Paschke was sent back to McNeil.

Now state officials say they have no reason to hold him anymore.

He will be required to register as sex offender in Snohomish County, and deputies have already notified the neighborhood he may be moving in.

"I have great grandchildren that come and play here," Mohr said. "It bothers me."