DOC announces release of convicted sex offender
The Wisconsin Department of Corrections has announced the release of 40-year old Hans Powell.
According to a media release from the WDOC, on Tuesday, Sept. 17 Powell was released to Community Supervision administered by the DOC. He is NOT wanted by the police at this time. This notification is not intended to increase fear; rather, it is our belief that an informed public is a safer public. Sex Offenders have always lived in our communities; but is was not until the WI Sex Offender Registry and Community Notification Law was enacted that law enforcement was able to share this information with the community.
On Feb. 25,1999, Powell was convicted in Lincoln County Circuit Court of 3rd Degree Sexual Assault and Repeated Sexual Assault of the Same Child after being accused of assaulting a 13 year old and 14 year old female acquaintance. Powell was released back to Merrill/Lincoln County, which was his county of residence at the time of his conviction. Powell will be on supervision with the WI Department of Corrections until 09/17/2024. Upon release, Powell was placed on Intensive Supervision, and will be subject to lifetime Global Positioning System (GPS) monitoring. Mr. Powell will be required to register with the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry Program for life. The WI Sex Offender Registry can be located at https://doc.wi.gov.
If you have concerns or questions regarding Hans Powell, please contact the Merrill Police Department at 715-536-8311.