BELLINGHAM, Wash. -- The release into Whatcom County of a violent and dangerous sex offender sentenced to life in prison is delayed pending review of the decision.

55-year-old Donald Randolph Hooper is serving time in Monroe for the First Degree Rape and Attempted Murder of a 14-year-old girl.

The Indeterminate Sentencing Review Board says granting Hooper’s parole was not mandatory.

Sheriff Bill Elfo contacted other local and federal officials to stop Hooper’s release and his parole has been delayed.

A pre-release evaluation in 2010 showed Hooper still presented a moderate to high risk to reoffend and was very likely to cause serious, if not fatal, psychological and physical harm.