A convicted pedophile who admitted to molesting 50 children and committing over 1,000 acts of indecent exposure may soon be released to live in Stanislaus County, according to court documents.
Kevin Gray, 72, was first convicted in 1974 for lewd conduct and oral copulation with a 9-year-old girl, receiving 36 months of probation. Over the next two decades, he was convicted of more child se* crimes and admitted to many others for which he was never caught.
In 1993, Gray was convicted for molesting an 8-year-old girl at an arcade in Modesto. The girl immediately told an adult, but Gray fled. He was later found by the adult and arrested. This was his last arrest before going to prison.
Gray was sentenced to 18 years in jail but was placed in a state hospital in Coalinga after serving his time. He was eligible for conditional release in 2020 and has since been evaluated by doctors to see if he could be released. The latest evaluation in April found that while Gray is still a se*ually violent predator likely to reoffend, it would be in his best interest to be conditionally released.
The Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office disagrees, believing Gray remains a public safety threat. They filed a petition to revoke his conditional release, stating that he could reoffend if released into the community. DA Jeff Laugero emphasized that Gray should stay in the Se*ually Violent Predator Program until public safety can be assured.
The DA’s petition highlighted Gray’s diagnoses, including pedophilia disorder and exhibitionist disorder, and a recent incident where he had a flash drive with over 700 deleted images of young girls in their underwear.
The DA’s Office argued that Gray’s history and recent behavior indicate he is still a danger. Despite the evaluation suggesting his release, the DA’s Office insists he should stay in a state hospital.
Gray’s release is uncertain. At a recent hearing, Judge Carrie Stevens expressed concerns about the DA’s filing. While potential housing for Gray is considered in Turlock, it is not confirmed, and public input is usually required.
Gray is scheduled for another hearing via video on July 1 at the Stanislaus County Superior Courthouse.