Chemically castrated predator wants Viagra

A convicted sex predator chemically castrated by order of a judge will go to court later this month to ask permission to take Viagra so he can have sex with his wife.

The physician for Donald Henrickson supports the request, saying it would be helpful for him to form a healthy sexual relationship.

The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office opposes it, calling Henrickson dangerous because of his long history of molesting young girls.

"The risk is really too great," because Henrickson could commit more sexual offenses, said King County Deputy Prosecutor Dana Cashman.

Henrickson, 53, is given injections of the drug Lupron Depot, which reduces testosterone production and sexual function in men.

King County Superior Court Judge Richard McDermott will hear the case Aug. 28. Henrickson's attorneys, public defenders Laura Smith and Leslie Garrison, have filed a motion to seal the hearing. McDermott is to rule on that request Aug. 21.

Henrickson, 53, of Olalla in Kitsap County, entered the state sexual-predator program in 1998, after serving four years, two months in prison for first-degree attempted kidnapping and illegal contact with a minor.

On April 20, 1990, Henrickson led a 6-year-old girl behind a Federal Way apartment complex, where he showed her photos of sexually explicit behavior. Henrickson also was convicted of first-degree statutory rape in 1987 in Pierce County for molesting a 5-year-old girl in the parking lot of an apartment complex.

In all, he has been connected with the molestation of more than 40 young girls and diagnosed with a host of disorders, including exhibitionism and voyeurism, said Dr. Douglas Tucker of Berkeley, Calif., a consultant hired by the prosecution.

In 1999, after a stay at the state's Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island, a facility designed to house sexual predators, Henrickson was released into the community under strict conditions, including injections of Lupron Depot. Eight other sexual predators live in Washington communities under similar guidelines.

Henrickson hasn't broken any rules since his release, according to legal briefs filed by his attorneys.

Dr. Mark McClung, the physician who prescribes Lupron Depot for Henrickson, lowered the dosage to improve Henrickson's ability to have intercourse, to no avail, according to court documents.

McClung then suggested Viagra, writing "this medication is not expected to increase deviant sexual urges," only to improve his ability to function sexually.

McClung also wrote that the Viagra would not counteract the effects of the Lupron Depot.

Prosecutors, who consulted with Tucker, disagree, saying there have been no studies done on the effects of mixing Viagra and Lupron Depot.

"While there could be theoretical benefits to such treatment, such as improved sexual functioning and intimacy with a consenting adult sexual partner," wrote Tucker, "there are also clear theoretical risks."

While Viagra is intended to increase one's ability to function sexually, it also could stimulate sexual fantasies and acting-out, Tucker said.

With a known, sexually violent predator, experimenting is not wise, prosecutor Cashman said.

"It's too dangerous a case," she said. "Literature about sex offenders does not indicate there's a huge upside" in responding to treatment. Taking Viagra could halt or reverse any progress Henrickson has made, she said.

If Henrickson's request is approved by the King County judge, the state would have to pay for the Viagra, which costs about $10 per tablet.

Henrickson's attorneys did not return phone calls for comment.

Brian Joseph: 206-464-2509 or bjoseph@seattletimes.com.