Former Racine mayor released as convicted sex offender

RACINE (WITI) -- He used to be the mayor of Racine. Now, he's a convicted sex offender. Gary Becker was released from prison on Tuesday, February 26th.

Gary Becker

Becker served three years at Oshkosh Correctional Facility. He was released on Tuesday and taken to a new home, presumably in Racine County -- officials will not say where.

"I feel like he is being treated differently simply because who he was in our community at one time," said a former sexual assault victim who spoke with FOX6 News.

That victim has become an advocate for more disclosure about sex offenders in Racine.

"They're not disclosing much information about his release into our community and it's not fair, just because he's the mayor he shouldn't be treated differently from other sex offenders," said the victim.

State officials say that's not true. Becker's classified as a low-level offender. He does not meet the criteria for special public notification. The Racine Police Department tells FOX6 News the state hasn't informed them either.

In 2008, a Racine city staffer discovered questionable images on Becker's computer. A state agent got involved, posing as a 14-year-old girl online. Becker took the bait and arranged a meeting at Brookfield Square Mall. He was arrested for child enticement, as well as attempted sexual assault of a child . Becker resigned as mayor.

The Department of Corrections says Becker's new address will be loaded into the computer on Tuesday. But it won't post until Wednesday. Becker is on a GPS monitoring system.

The current mayor of Racine has no comment on this case.