The presence of a convicted sex offender in the neighborhood will be discussed Thursday, Dec. 27 when Island County Sheriff Mike Hawley holds a public meeting at 7 p.m. at the Monroe Landing Fire Station.

Jared Vandewerfhorst, 20, was convicted in Lewis County of kidnapping in the second degree with sexual motivation, and assault of a child in the second degree with sexual motivation.

Vandewerfhorst will be living in the 900 block of Monroe Landing Road after his release from prison on Jan. 3, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

The man is listed as as a “level 2” offender, defined as someone who poses a “moderate risk” to re-offend.

On Nov. 14, 1999, Vandewerfhorst pled guilty to the charges against him. He was sentenced to 41 months in prison. Sheriff Hawley emphasized that he will have served his time upon release and is not wanted for anything. However, he will be under supervision for 36 months by the state Department of Corrections.

Vandewerhorst’s offense is summarized in a Sheriff’s Office news release. He drove to the home of his employer and picked up the man’s 11-year-son, telling him he was needed at work. Instead he drove the boy to a secluded area on a logging road. A struggle ensued, the boy was tackled and told to be quiet, and thrown against the vehicle repeatedly, and was briefly knocked out. The victim said he wanted to go home, and he was dropped off in a small community.

Upon his release from prison, Vandewerfhorst must register as a sex offender with the Island County Sheriff’s Office.

Concerned citizens are advised to follow two basic safety rules, according to Hawley: Always know the whereabouts of your children, and never leave small children alone. For more information about the situation, attend next Thursday’s meeting.