Joseph Matthew Smith a 23-year-old Native American male who now identifies as a female has been released after receiving treatment for gender reassignment over the past two years at Newton Correctional Facility and being deemed by the state as no longer a threat.

Smith was convinced in 2015 for the rape of as many as 15 victims ranging in age from 1 to 13 when he was a student at Midwest Christian Services. He has been released as of January 14, 2020, into the Residential Treatment Facility in Sioux City at 515 Water Street.

Smith will be subject to Strict Sex Offender Registry requirements for the rest of his life but because of his transition and adjusted hormone levels, the state believes he is at a low level to re-offend.