Sex offender to be released following gender change, no longer considered a threat

A convicted sex offender in Iowa is set to be released from prison after it was determined that the offender's gender change would make it unlikely that she would re-offend the Des Moines Register reported.

Josie Smith, formerly known as Joseph Michael Smith, was convicted in the rape of a fellow high school student in 2014.

The Des Moines Register reported that authorities in Iowa noted that Smith would still be required to register as a sex offender, and would required to meet with a probation officer.

Josie Smith will be subject to strict sex-offender reporting required of those who commit the crimes she did,” attorney general spokesman Lynn Hicks told the Register. “She’ll be subject to supervision for the rest of her life.”

A report says that Smith allegedly molested up to 15 victims ranging in ages from 1 to 13. The report also noted that Smith was molested as a young child.