Governor's task force recommends closer monitoring, DNA database of all sex offenders

Prompted by the July kidnapping and slaying of 12-year-old Zina Linnik of Tacoma, Gov. Christine Gregoire is recommending changes to how the state tracks convicted sex offenders, including requiring all to have DNA on file with police.

Gregoire made the recommendations today based on a preliminary report by a Sex Offender Task Force she asked Kitsap County Prosecutor Russ Hauge to put together to look into Linnik's death. The report from that committee will be released this afternoon, said Holly Armstrong, Gregoire's spokeswoman. The governor's recommendations include requiring DNA from all sex offenders to be filed with police; increasing the electronic monitoring of sex offenders; keeping better track of where sex offenders live, even Level 1 sex offenders, which are considered the least likely to reoffend.

Often police consider Level 1 offenders a low priority and, although the state law requires them to register their address with police, violations aren't always followed up on.

Linnik was abducted on July 4 from outside her Tacoma home. Her body was found July 12 in east Pierce County.

Terapon Adhahn, a convicted sex offender, has been charged with aggravated first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping and first-degree rape in the girl's abduction and death. Pierce County prosecutors have announced they will not seek the death penalty against Adhahn. He is also facing numerous other chargers stemming from attacks on two other girls and is considered a person of interest in the December 2005 abduction and slaying of 10-year-old Adre'Anna Jackson of Tillicum, Pierce County.

Adhahn was a Level 1 sex offender who was not living at the address they had on file. Gregoire is considering holding a special legislative session to come up with better ways to deal with offenders such as Adhahn, 42.

The task force's final report will be presented Oct. 3.

Nancy Bartley: 206-464-8522 or nbartley@seattletimes.com