Attorney General's News Release

January 4, 2007

Jury commits Audrain County man as sexually violent predator

Jefferson City, Mo. — A Warren County jury on Tuesday night (Jan. 2) found James Ellis of Audrain County to be a sexually violent predator (SVP) and committed him to the state treatment center in Farmington. Associate Circuit Judge Wesley C. Dalton signed the judgment and commitment order.

The office of Attorney General Jay Nixon sought to have Ellis committed as an SVP after Ellis finished serving a 15-year prison sentence after he pleaded guilty in Audrain County in 1990 to the rape of an 11-year-old girl. The SVP trial was moved on a change of venue to Warren County.

Ellis (DOB - 8/29/41) had previous convictions for rape in Boone County, telephone harassment in Audrain County, and indecency with a child in Harris County, Texas.

"My office will seek the continued commitment of those who still pose a danger to society," Nixon said. "While they are committed, these individuals can get the treatment they need."

Those committed by the court as sexually violent predators have the right to have their cases reviewed to determine if their mental abnormality has so changed that they are not likely to commit acts of sexual violence if released.

Currently, there are 79 sexually violent predators in commitment in Missouri. Sexually violent predator commitments are handled by the Public Safety Division in Nixon's office. Missouri's sexually violent predator law took effect in January 1999.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818