Steven Powell could go free on Friday

Prosecutors will seek an exceptional sentence when Steven Powell goes before a judge in Pierce County Superior Court on Friday. But if the defense has their way, Powell could walk out of the courtroom in Tacoma, Wash., a free man.

Powell was convicted in May on 14 counts of voyeurism for taking photos of young girls in his Puyallup, Wash., neighborhood for his sexual gratification.

The prosecution will ask Judge Ronald. E. Culpepper to sentence Powell to 120 months, or ten years in prison. The penalty, which is well above the standard sentencing range, would keep Powell behind bars until 2021.

“We ask for an exceptional sentence when we think it is just and it makes sense, and the court is at least likely to agree with us,” said Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist. “Clearly we believe that Mr. Powell is exactly the type of offender and this is the type of case where an exceptional sentence is just and makes sense.”

Lindquist said the judge is likely to consider the large number of counts Powell was convicted of in making his decision.

But, should Judge Culpepper reject the prosecution’s request of an exceptional sentence, Powell could be set free. Unable to make bail since his arrest in September 2011, Powell would be released after credit for time served.

Powell is the father-in-law of missing Puyallup mom Susan Cox-Powell.