Warm Springs abuser, 70, to get early release from federal prison hit by COVID-19

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A federal judge agreed Tuesday to grant early release to a 70-year-old inmate and former Warm Springs police officer, eight months before completing his 10-year sentence for sexually abusing five girls, due to his high vulnerability to COVID-19 behind bars.

The Oregonian/Oregon Live reports Harry Hintsala's lawyer said Hintsala has advanced kidney disease, must use a wheelchair and is being held at the Lompoc federal prison in California, where more than 100 inmates have tested positive for the virus and two have died.

A federal prosecutor and one of the girls' guardians opposed any early release.

The former Warm Springs police officer previously worked as a supervisor at Warm Springs Children's Protective Services and as a worker at Head Start. Officials said the abuse occurred at Hintsala's home, after he had retired from those public positions.

U.S. District Judge Michael Mosman said he was "reluctant" do grant earlier release and did so only due to the presence of COVID-19 and its concerns in a prison setting. He directed Hintsala's lawyers and probation officers to come up with a suitable release plan with adequate supervision.