TENINO, Wash. — Employees related to a transitional home in Tenino that recently received pushback after news it may house multiple sex offendersare now receiving death threats, according toThurston County Sheriff's Office (TCSO).

RELATED | Some Tenino residents push back against transitional home expected to house sex offenders

Up to five Level 3 sex offenders who have completed their prison sentence could move into the two-story home as soon as this week. That news caused a public outcry which led community members to speak online and at meetings due to the fact that Level 3 sex offenders areconsidered most likely to re-offend.

Residents told KOMO News they learned about the Less Restrictive Alternative (LRA) and its potential residents via a community Facebook post on Jan. 11, nearly three weeks before the offenders would be able to move in. LRA houses residents by court order who are approved for homes like the one in Tenino to serve out their civil commitment.

"Threats to kill, property destruction, or any other criminal acts will not solve the issue at hand. As a community, we have the opportunity to systemically change the current legislation put forth through legal and morally acceptable avenues," said Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders in a letter Monday.

Sanders has been an outspoken opponent of the home saying he doesn't think the housing is a good idea because of the rural location and limited resources. He said he's coordinating a safety response in the event of an emergency with the DOC.

TCSO said the threats were directed to Supreme Living LLC, Department of Corrections (DOC), and Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) employees and property.

"This is unacceptable. I empathize with the frustrations of our community, however threats of violence will not be tolerated and are subject to criminal enforcement," said Sanders. "Your local county officials are working around the clock to address this issue to the best of our abilities, and making threats to kill or injure members of our community is detrimental to that work."

KOMO News reached out to Supreme Living's CEO Monday, Jan. 23 for comment on the sex offenders' potential move-in, but hasn’t heard back.

Washington State Representative Dan Griffey of the 35th Legislative District said there is legislation in the early stages being drafted aimed at replacing LRAs with one facility owned and operated by the state for residents leaving McNeil Island to complete their civil commitment. He said the legislation would impose stronger requirements for public notice and public comment for privately operated group homes that house sex offenders deemed dangerous by the state.

Griffey said he's unaware of any wrongdoing with regard to public notification, but insisted residents felt blindsided and should have more opportunity for public comment.