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Peter Cox
St. Paul, Minn.

Man's release is latest test for Minn. sex offender program

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A rapist held indefinitely in the Minnesota Sex Offender Program will begin living in a Le Center, Minnesota, supervised group home on Monday.

Robert Jeno's conditional release is rare for a program that holds more than 700 men after they've served their sentences for sexual offenses. He is the first client to be released outside of the Twin Cities metro area.

Jeno, 50, served about a decade in prison for two sexual assaults against women and an assault with a knife. In 1992, he was ordered held in the Minnesota Sex Offender Program.

His release comes as sex offenders sue the state in federal court, claiming the program violates their constitutional rights. Trial is set to begin in that case in February.

• June: Controversial sex offender program faces key moment in court

"Clients who are treated and who are deemed to have lowered their risk by many evaluators and the Supreme Court appeals panel ... we are going to do everything in our authority and our power to make that transition the safest and most successful for them," said Nancy Johnston, the program's executive director.

Josh Fredrickson of Le Center wondered why the state would put Jeno in a small town, "where we know everybody and anybody who walks down the street. The thought is going to be in the back of every single person's head when they see this guy walking to the park or the grocery store, convenience store, whatever. Is this the best situation for this person?"

Officials with the Department of Human Services say Jeno has a local support network to help him and he'll be closely monitored.