Answers demanded after early release of sex predators revealed - Houston weather, traffic, news | FOX 26 | MyFoxHouston

Answers demanded after early release of sexual predators revealed

Sexual predators don't come any worse than John Michael Enard. When the 58-year-old man shed his GPS tracking anklet and escaped a Houston halfway house, the departure triggered a FOX 26 investigation that's produced truly alarming results.

A review of state criminal justice records by reporter Randy Wallace revealed the parole and early release of 11 convicted rapists almost certain to strike again if given the opportunity.

They are criminals so dangerously, deviant that TDCJ has officially labeled them "sexually violent predators".

Houston city councilman and former police chief C.O. Bradford says he is absolutely appalled.

"We learned today that the parole board is releasing sexually violent predators into our community and that is unacceptable and an explanation is warranted to the citizens here in Harris County," said Bradford.

And yet despite repeated requests from FOX 26 News, the Texas Board of Pardon and Paroles has refused to offer justification for cutting predators loose on society earlier than the law demands.

"The first that came to my mind is the survivors, the survivors who were victimized by these predators that were being let out," said Letecia Manzano of the Houston area Women's Center.

Manzano contends it's simply not enough that these released predators are continually tracked through the process known as "civil commitment".

"These are the offenders that law enforcement, criminal justice and the penal system need to hold accountable," said Manzano.

Without bars to confine them she believes these "worst of the worst" will create more victims.

"I think we all deserve an explanation about why the system failed," said Manzano.

Councilman Bradford says the entire state of Texas needs to pay attention and demand answers.

"This is not what we expect in our society. Sexually violent predators must be detained," said Bradford.