A sex offender facing a possible life sentence if convicted of molesting a 5-year-old girl in Spokane is free tonight.

Richard Payne posted a $250,000 bond through a bail bond company and was released Wednesday night from Spokane County Jail.

He's wearing an ankle monitor and under a court order to stay away from children.

Superior Court Judge Annette Plese cited Payne's danger to the community when she set bail at a high $250,000 as requested by the Spokane County prosecutor's office.

The 55-year-old is accused of exposing himself and touching the 5-year-old girl June 21 at Bumpers Family Fun Center in the North Town Mall. He has two assault convictions in child molestation cases.

He'll be arraigned July 5.

What are your thoughts? Do you think the justice system is failing in this instance? Or do you feel Payne deserves due process, despite his past convictions?

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