Iowa authorities search for missing sex offender
August 3rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson
CHEROKEE, Iowa (AP) — Authorities in northwest Iowa are searching for a man who absconded from a sex offender transition release program. The Iowa Department of Human Services says 42-year-old Cory West did not return from his place of employment and was last seen in the Storm Lake area. Authorities say he absconded early Sunday.
West was ordered into a civil commitment program at the Cherokee Mental Health Institute in 2011, and became eligible for the transition release program in fall of 2013. The program provides long-term inpatient treatment for violent sexual predators that have served their prison terms but are considered likely to commit further offenses.