Randolph Center — A convicted sex offender who refused treatment during a 13-year incarceration has moved into a trailer in Randolph Center, alarming some town residents, who said they would be more willing to accept his presence if he had sought help in jail.

Leon Colbeth, 33, was released March 28 after serving time for sexually assaulting a minor under 16, aggravated assault and lewdness. His victims included a 15-year-old boy and a "mentally handicapped" youth, police said.

The Vermont Department of Corrections considers Colbeth to have a "high degree of probability" of committing additional sex crimes, the state announced in a news release issued Wednesday night. But he served his maximum sentence and is no longer under supervision. He is, however, required to notify authorities of where he's living.

Colbeth lives on South Randolph Road, a dirt road that cuts through farmland about a mile south of Vermont Technical College and Lake Champagne Campground, which hosts children's groups during the summer months. He is staying with a cousin, State Police Lt. Ray Keefe said.

Colbeth declined to be interviewed yesterday. A man who gave his first name as Rick said he was Colbeth's cousin, and said Colbeth would be staying there only for three to five days before moving somewhere else.

"I've got nieces and nephews that come visit," Rick said while standing outside the trailer.

After leaving state custody, Colbeth stayed in his native St. Johnsbury, Vt., for a few days until moving to Randolph on April 7, Keefe said. The Vermont Department of Corrections notified local state police on Monday, Keefe said.

Inside Floyd's General Store in Randolph Center yesterday, several townspeople said they were troubled that a sex offender who had refused help in jail was now living free in their community.

"It will bother anyone with kids, having him around," resident James Tucker said. "He was in jail for 13 years, and he couldn't go through a program? You spend 13 years in there and don't do a program, you're just asking for trouble."

Al Floyd, the general store's owner, said he would display Colbeth's picture to warn locals. "It's something you shouldn't be doing and if you do it, you should get treated for it," Floyd said. "I'm not saying treatment works, but you give it a shot. I wouldn't be forgiving, but I'd be more understanding."

Town Manager Richard Schnaedter said he had not been informed of Colbeth's arrival.

Randolph Union High School Principal John Holmes said he would notify staffers, but was unsure how he would handle the situation with his teenage students.

"It's the first time we've dealt with this," Holmes said.

Colbeth is the only high-risk offender living in Orange County, according to the Vermont Department of Public Safety. Prisoners can shave time off their sentences if they undergo treatment in prison, but it is not mandated, and Colbeth chose instead to serve his maximum term.

Keefe said he was concerned about having Colbeth in town, but could do little now that he is free. (The state police are responsible for covering Randolph Center — Randolph Police cover only a small area in downtown Randolph.)

"I guess the way I feel about sex offenders is these offenders made victims do things they didn't want to do," he said. "I think it's high time the state of Vermont make (offenders) do some things they don't want to do before they get out of jail. They should have to do that program to make them better. I don't understand how someone can be released and not achieve that goal."